Analyst's note:  Extremely troubling.  US defense secretary Robert Gates is reporting that the U.S. has adjusted defenses to account for Iranian capability to fire hundreds of short- and medium-range ballistic missile salvoes.  We (that would be U.S. and Europe) have much in common with Israel as our forces deployed in the Middle-East now face thousands of such missiles armed with conventional warheads known to be located and distributed across Syria and Lebanon, as well as Iran. 

This also means that pressure is increasing on Europe and Israel who are now targeted by such forces.  Should, perhaps I should say "when," an attack occurs against Israel, Israeli cities and runways will obviously be on the target list along with known command and control facilities. 

All the while Iran continues it's march to gain nuclear weapons.  Only Israel, with a land mass slightly larger than the state of New Jersey, seems to have the will to stop Iran in this quest.  Again, this could be a long, hot summer for the United States, Europe and Israel.

Gates's new evaluation breaks away sharply from the propositions American military chiefs have been advancing in their strategic deliberations with Gulf and Israeli leaders. Until now, they made a point of playing down the missile menace posed from Iran claiming that it consisted of no more than a few score ballistic missiles and far less launchers. 

The new intelligence assessment Gates now unveils means that the balance of strength has dramatically shifted in favor of Iran and against Israel.