Turkey to Station U.S. Radar to Counter Iranian Rockets

[bemildred]

WASHINGTON—Turkey has agreed to station a high-powered U.S. radar on its territory as part of a missile defense system to protect NATO allies from the threat of long-range Iranian rockets.

The deal for Turkey to host the so-called X-Band radar at one of its military bases accelerates deployment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-backed early warning system.

The deal could also ratchet up tensions between Turkey and Iran, which sees the system as a threat.

Relations between Ankara and Tehran have deteriorated in recent months, particularly over differences over how to respond to Syria's violent crackdown on antiregime demonstrations. Turkey has condemned the violence and appears to be moving increasingly toward breaking with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904716604576545210817356164.html

[The Magistrate]

1. Interesting Development, Sir

Turks and Persians have never mixed well....

[bemildred]

2. I thought so.

A handy bargaining chip and/or gold star, if nothing else.

One hesitates to theorize, other than to say Turkey seems inclined to assert itself of late.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Miserably written article, but you do pose and interesting thought

Police radar guns also were "X-band"...

I doubt it will come to a military showdown. The Israeli navy would be seriously over matched but they would have the advantage of home ground and air cover. The latter could readily neutralize the Turkish naval advantage except for submarines. The IDF could also take some unconventional approaches, including the mining of the harbor and approaches into Gaza, radio triggered limpets etc.

[bemildred]

4. I would be taken aback if it were allowed to come to that.

I would expect that the US and other parties would get involved well before then. That could even be the point, to force resolving the issue onto the agenda.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. I would hope so

I expect the ICJ gambit to fail due to Israel not allowing jurisdiction.

The embassies have been reduced to the 2nd Secretary Level...a pretty serious downgrade.

Turkey has gotten way to macho about this and that will exacerbate and prolong the problem. A way needs to be found to allow them to save face since if it goes martial it will be a seriously bad thing