Missile Gap

It seems that the official Iranian news agency doctored the photo of yesterday's missile launch to add an additional missile.

Comments

More importantly, they added the extra launched missile to cover up a grounded defective missile, the kind of missile our defective missile shield might have a fighting chance against.

Posted by phil | July 10, 2008 2:07 PM

Is this backed up by sources outside the US military-industrial complex?

Posted by Luke | July 10, 2008 2:09 PM

Roy Shildt, you've done it again.

Posted by scythia | July 10, 2008 2:13 PM

Another possibility would be not wanting an image released of their launching vehicle so that America and Israel don't know what to blow up when it comes time for a preemptive strike, but that doesn't really jive with releasing the unaltered photo as well.

Posted by Zach | July 10, 2008 2:40 PM

U.S. Intelligence: Burundi May Be Developing Telephone

JULY 10, 2008 | ISSUE 44•28

WASHINGTON—According to a report released by the Pentagon, evidence suggests that the small Central African nation of Burundi may be developing a telephone, and experts warn the country could be just 10 years away from achieving a dial tone. "If Burundi's telephone has long-distance capabilities, it will be possible for them to reach the continental United States and parts of Canada with just the push of several buttons," CIA spokesman Richard Caburn said. "Thankfully, we possess advanced caller ID technology, so if they ever decide to call, we will be prepared." The Pentagon has mailed Burundi a letter asking them to end their communications program immediately, and has not ruled out the option of a preemptive nuclear strike on the nation.

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/u_s_intelligence_burundi?utm_source=slate_rss_1

Posted by Peter K. | July 10, 2008 2:53 PM

"I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it." -Voltaire

Posted by southpaw | July 10, 2008 3:23 PM

This is reported by a paper that has Michael Gordon on its payroll.

'nuff said.

Posted by Hameed | July 10, 2008 3:48 PM

Hameed,

You think they have the story wrong?

Posted by southpaw | July 10, 2008 4:56 PM

The commentators over at BoingBoing looked at this, too. It seems clear there was some PhotoShopping done. BoingBoing then proceeded to have their readers alter the images as they liked.

Iran: You Suck At Photoshop (updated)
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/10/iran-you-suck-at-pho.html

OTOH, think about it. Iran launches missiles to appear tough - then fakes the photos so the Western media catch it (belatedly, however) - which lures the US and Israel into thinking there's something wrong with their missile program. The US and Israel spend the next six months trying to figure out what to no purpose.

Disinformation, one way or the other.

Weirder things have happened in the intelligence world.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | July 10, 2008 6:35 PM