http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/us-pulling-missiles-out-of-turkey/article/2573919U.S. pulling missile defense batteries from Turkey
By Jacqueline Klimas (@jacqklimas) • 10/12/15 4:40 PM
The U.S. is moving forward with plans to remove its Patriot missile defense systems from Turkey despite recent escalations in the region, including Iran testing a new long-range ballistic missile over the weekend.
Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan announced on Sunday the successful test of the newest Iran-made long-range missile, dubbed the "Emad," or Pillar, that could likely reach Turkey. In addition, the Russians are playing a greater role in the Syrian civil war, raging along Turkey's border.
Despite that, the U.S. is continuing with plans made in August to remove all Patriot missile defense systems from Turkey, a defense official said Monday.
"We, Turkey and NATO have more than adequate capabilities to defend Turkey's airspace," the official said.
A Turkish diplomat had a different take, however.
"We do not think this is the best time to withdraw these batteries," the diplomat told Defense News. "This is a delicate time for our border with Syria."
The Pentagon said this year that the battery of missile defense systems, originally sent to Turkey in January 2013, would take a one-way trip to the U.S. in October for upgrades. The threats Turkey faces have changed since 2013, the Pentagon said in August, as the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used up the majority of its missile stores.
Michael O'Hanlon, a national security analyst at the Brookings Institution, said removing the Patriots presents only a "modest" threat increase because of other deterrents.
"If Assad started threatening Turkey with missiles, we could bring Patriots back — and if Assad actually attacked, he'd invite NATO retaliation which would be foolish, so I don't expect it," O'Hanlon said.
