Israeli Air Force practices for Iranian strike
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Now I know that you know that I know, therefore......
U.S. Deploys Radar, Troops To Israel
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has deployed to Israel a high-powered X-band radar and the supporting people and equipment needed for coordinated defense against Iranian missile attack, marking the first permanent U.S. military presence on Israeli soil.
More than a dozen aircraft, including C-5s and C-17s, helped with the Sept. 21 delivery of the AN/TPY-2 Transportable Radar Surveillance/Forward Based X-band Transportable (FBX-T), its ancillary components and some 120 EUCOM personnel to Israel's Nevatim Air Base southeast of Beersheba, said sources here and in Stuttgart, Germany.
Among the U.S. personnel is at least one representative from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), though officials said the agency had little to no say in the deployment decision. MDA involvement has been confined to providing equipment and advice on technical aspects of its deployment, one official said.
The Raytheon-built FBX-T system is the same phased-array radar that was deployed to northern Japan with the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) in 2006. The high-powered, high-frequency, transportable X-band radar is designed to detect and track ballistic missiles soon after launch. Its ancillary gear included cooling systems, generators, perimeter defense weaponry, logistics supplies and dozens of technicians, maintenance specialists and security forces to operate and defend the U.S. installation.
EUCOM has repeatedly deployed troops and Patriot air defense batteries for joint exercises and Iraq-related wartime contingencies, but has never before permanently deployed troops on Israeli soil. A EUCOM spokesman declined to comment. MDA officials referred to the U.S. State Department, which did not provide comment by press time.
Israeli Psyops Fuel Angst Over Iran Attack
TEL AVIV - Israel is stoking suspicions of a military attack on Iran in an elaborate and finely balanced psychological-operations campaign meant to deter Iranian nuclear efforts and inspire more Western sanctions on Tehran.
Experts and official sources here say airstrikes are not imminent.
Yet the psyops effort, executed unilaterally and in concert with Washington, has fostered the opposite perception, which along with Iranian intransigence on nuclear issues have put a jittery region even more on edge. Some experts say the campaign may ultimately prove counterproductive.
"Our enemies are afraid we will strike in 2009. But unlike our image, we are not going to war," a senior Israeli intelligence officer told reporters here recently. "But we and they are preparing for war. … Below the bar of war, there are events that are happening. Both sides can engage in activities short of war which may cause escalations that could lead to war.".....
U.S. Deploys Radar, Troops To Israel
U.S. European Command (EUCOM) has deployed to Israel a high-powered X-band radar and the supporting people and equipment needed for coordinated defense against Iranian missile attack, marking the first permanent U.S. military presence on Israeli soil.
More than a dozen aircraft, including C-5s and C-17s, helped with the Sept. 21 delivery of the AN/TPY-2 Transportable Radar Surveillance/Forward Based X-band Transportable (FBX-T), its ancillary components and some 120 EUCOM personnel to Israel's Nevatim Air Base southeast of Beersheba, said sources here and in Stuttgart, Germany.
Among the U.S. personnel is at least one representative from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), though officials said the agency had little to no say in the deployment decision. MDA involvement has been confined to providing equipment and advice on technical aspects of its deployment, one official said.
The Raytheon-built FBX-T system is the same phased-array radar that was deployed to northern Japan with the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) in 2006. The high-powered, high-frequency, transportable X-band radar is designed to detect and track ballistic missiles soon after launch. Its ancillary gear included cooling systems, generators, perimeter defense weaponry, logistics supplies and dozens of technicians, maintenance specialists and security forces to operate and defend the U.S. installation.
EUCOM has repeatedly deployed troops and Patriot air defense batteries for joint exercises and Iraq-related wartime contingencies, but has never before permanently deployed troops on Israeli soil. A EUCOM spokesman declined to comment. MDA officials referred to the U.S. State Department, which did not provide comment by press time.
Israeli Psyops Fuel Angst Over Iran Attack
TEL AVIV - Israel is stoking suspicions of a military attack on Iran in an elaborate and finely balanced psychological-operations campaign meant to deter Iranian nuclear efforts and inspire more Western sanctions on Tehran.
Experts and official sources here say airstrikes are not imminent.
Yet the psyops effort, executed unilaterally and in concert with Washington, has fostered the opposite perception, which along with Iranian intransigence on nuclear issues have put a jittery region even more on edge. Some experts say the campaign may ultimately prove counterproductive.
"Our enemies are afraid we will strike in 2009. But unlike our image, we are not going to war," a senior Israeli intelligence officer told reporters here recently. "But we and they are preparing for war. … Below the bar of war, there are events that are happening. Both sides can engage in activities short of war which may cause escalations that could lead to war.".....
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: canada
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about the oil.
So,
IRAN is implying that they will ultimately cause a spike in the price of oil. Does anyone have any verifiable info on how their production is going.
My financial guy had a great point in that Iran is importing most of their refined petroleum from S.A.. Their exports are only bulk crude. Everyone has crude....it's the refining capacity that is the choker.
One of the most mobile sectors of labour is in oil. I don't think Iran has any actual infrastructure / expertice to support a world class oil industry...left?
I would agree that the Isrealis cannot let the question go unanswered. I do not , however, believe for 1 second that the US foreign policy is fickle enough to sway on whether there is an attack or not, based simply on Obama or McCain.
There is another couple of years left in this saga.
FWIW!
IRAN is implying that they will ultimately cause a spike in the price of oil. Does anyone have any verifiable info on how their production is going.
My financial guy had a great point in that Iran is importing most of their refined petroleum from S.A.. Their exports are only bulk crude. Everyone has crude....it's the refining capacity that is the choker.
One of the most mobile sectors of labour is in oil. I don't think Iran has any actual infrastructure / expertice to support a world class oil industry...left?
I would agree that the Isrealis cannot let the question go unanswered. I do not , however, believe for 1 second that the US foreign policy is fickle enough to sway on whether there is an attack or not, based simply on Obama or McCain.
There is another couple of years left in this saga.
FWIW!
Although Iran is self sufficient in terms of crude oil production it only has enough refinery capacity to meet about 60% of its domestic requirements. It has a 5 year plan to build new refineries in order to double capacity but this appears to have inadequate funding. Iran Focus*-*Iran falling short of oil refining ambitions
Last time the government cut the subsidy on fuel riots followed so the country appears to be vulnerable to changes in fuel supply.
Last time the government cut the subsidy on fuel riots followed so the country appears to be vulnerable to changes in fuel supply.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tullahoma TN
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've just come back from my fifth visit to Iran and would say that the Iranians are preparing for an air attack judging from the number of new anti aircraft guns I saw around the place. The new Iman Khomeini airport now has a large soil berm around the perimeter c/w anti aircraft guns. In addition new guns have appeared on the base of the mountain ridge just off the Tehran - Keraj highway. These appear to be protecting two large round radar domes up on the ridge.
Anti-Air artillery wouldn't be that effective. Money spent on those guns is mostly wasted, except to make the Iranian populace feel better.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Various
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
theshadow
Care to give odds on your specific planned attack date (18 Dec 2008)? Assuming of course that you have anything to wager.
The Israeli strike (air/ground (spec forces) and fifth columnists (not journos/they're not invited unless embedded)) is planned to take place on 18 Dec (early evening) because of the cultural significance of that date. Conventional (deep penetrating B61-11's off F-15's) and bio, but not nuclear. It also coincides with a major upgrade date for the main facility.... and a change-over of key personnel. The current Iranian Calendar year is AP 1387 (AP = Anno Persico/Anno Persarum = Persian year). You add 622 to the Iranian calendar to arrive at a Gregorian date. The date is known to far too many people to remain a secret for much longer.
U.S. Sources: Iran Buying Russian SA-20s
Disinformation or fact? On Aviation Week's web site today.
Senior U.S. government officials independently confirm that Iran is now "on contract" for the Russian SA-20 strategic SAM system, irrespective of Kremlin protestations to the contrary.
Tehran's deployment of such a system would mark a step-up in capability, and considerably improve the country's ability to defend its controversial nuclear facilities where the West remains concerned that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.
"The Iranians are on contract for SA-20," says a government official. "We've got a huge set of challenges in the future that we've never had (before). We've been lulled into a false sense of security because our operations over the last 20 years involved complete air dominance and we've been free to operate in all domains," he adds.
The proliferation of so-called double-digit surface-to-air missile systems - such as the Almaz Antey SA-20 (S-300PMU1/S-300PMU2) - poses an increasing threat to non-stealthy aircraft, and will force changes in tactics and operational planning. The SA-20 has an engagement envelope of up to 150 kilometers; and Iran may be signed up for the S-300PMU-2 variant of the system.
Russia could use Belorussia as the route for a sale, allowing it to deny any direct involvement, says a U.S. official.
Still, it would likely take the Iranian armed forces some time, as much as 22 months, to become proficient in the operation of the SA-20. However, any deal would almost certainly cover training support of the system in the interim.
Tehran's deployment of such a system would mark a step-up in capability, and considerably improve the country's ability to defend its controversial nuclear facilities where the West remains concerned that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.
"The Iranians are on contract for SA-20," says a government official. "We've got a huge set of challenges in the future that we've never had (before). We've been lulled into a false sense of security because our operations over the last 20 years involved complete air dominance and we've been free to operate in all domains," he adds.
The proliferation of so-called double-digit surface-to-air missile systems - such as the Almaz Antey SA-20 (S-300PMU1/S-300PMU2) - poses an increasing threat to non-stealthy aircraft, and will force changes in tactics and operational planning. The SA-20 has an engagement envelope of up to 150 kilometers; and Iran may be signed up for the S-300PMU-2 variant of the system.
Russia could use Belorussia as the route for a sale, allowing it to deny any direct involvement, says a U.S. official.
Still, it would likely take the Iranian armed forces some time, as much as 22 months, to become proficient in the operation of the SA-20. However, any deal would almost certainly cover training support of the system in the interim.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: bored
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just more US geopolitical waffle and posturing.
Even if Iran did succeed in developing a viable and DELIVERABLE nuclear weapon, and even if they GENUINELY had the political will to launch and deliver it, what could they possibly gain? Their population centres would be wiped out by massive US/British/French and even Russian retaliation.
Iran's own geopolitical waffle and posturing is just a response to domestic inquietude at US/Israel policies in the region.
If we want Iran to give up their nuclear pretensions, we must first persuade Israel to give up hers.
Even if Iran did succeed in developing a viable and DELIVERABLE nuclear weapon, and even if they GENUINELY had the political will to launch and deliver it, what could they possibly gain? Their population centres would be wiped out by massive US/British/French and even Russian retaliation.
Iran's own geopolitical waffle and posturing is just a response to domestic inquietude at US/Israel policies in the region.
If we want Iran to give up their nuclear pretensions, we must first persuade Israel to give up hers.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Really?
I've not seen anything where Britain/France/US/Russia have obligated themselves to nuking them that nuke Israel.
Did I miss the memo?
You are far more certain of the actions of those countries than I am.
If you were Israeli, would you be willing to bet your life on it?
After all, Hitler said he'd stop with Austria, er, Czechoslovakia, er, Poland...
By the way, I don't believe Israel has nuclear pretensions.
I've not seen anything where Britain/France/US/Russia have obligated themselves to nuking them that nuke Israel.
Did I miss the memo?
You are far more certain of the actions of those countries than I am.
If you were Israeli, would you be willing to bet your life on it?
After all, Hitler said he'd stop with Austria, er, Czechoslovakia, er, Poland...
By the way, I don't believe Israel has nuclear pretensions.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: bored
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Really?
I've not seen anything where Britain/France/US/Russia have obligated themselves to nuking them that nuke Israel.
Did I miss the memo?
You are far more certain of the actions of those countries than I am.
If you were Israeli, would you be willing to bet your life on it?
After all, Hitler said he'd stop with Austria, er, Czechoslovakia, er, Poland...
By the way, I don't believe Israel has nuclear pretensions.
I've not seen anything where Britain/France/US/Russia have obligated themselves to nuking them that nuke Israel.
Did I miss the memo?
You are far more certain of the actions of those countries than I am.
If you were Israeli, would you be willing to bet your life on it?
After all, Hitler said he'd stop with Austria, er, Czechoslovakia, er, Poland...
By the way, I don't believe Israel has nuclear pretensions.
Israel and weapons of mass destruction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Given that Israel has nuclear weapons, and most probably (even by US admission) a chemical and biological capability, wouldn't you be a bit worried if you and your family lived in a nearby country. Especially has Israel has repeatedly used pre-emptive strikes to "defend" itself?
Israel is far from being a stable democracy. It does not even score particularly highly on the Economist's index of "democracy" - being classified as a "flawed democracy" http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/D...ex_2007_v3.pdf
And scoring well below all other nuclear armed countries (and formerly nuclear armed countries such as RSA that have been persuaded to give up their WMD pretensions). There is little doubt that much of Israel's domstic appartheid policies are driven by a need to maintain jewish demographic supremacy over the arab vote in order to maintain their "democratic" status on the world stage - eg construction of the wall through along demographic demarcation lines.
By the way, I don't believe Israel has nuclear pretensions.
Maybe the US is not the 'irony-free' zone that you appear to be assuming
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Times today, can't find a link, so here are some of the content. Consider this in the context of Obama's chances of re-election if Iran gets the bomb and either demonstrates it, or even uses it.......
"Iran could have nuclear bomb 'within 6 months'
Iran may be just six months away from developing a nuclear bomb despite international attempts to thwart the programme through sanctions.....
The latest report by inspectors from the IAEA concludes that Iran has not only boosted production but upgraded the level of enrichment from 3.5% to almost 20% and has installed more sophisticated centrifuges which it is moving to the bunker in Qom, apparently to protect them from airstrikes.....
"We believe if Iran broke out now they could have a bomb in six months", said David Albright, a former weapons inspector who now runs the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.....
Greg Jones, a defence analyst at the Nonproliferation Policy Education Centre, calculates that Iran could now produce a bomb within 62 days......
A new report by the Bipartisan Policy Centre, a think tank set up by US Senators warns: "The Islamic Republic of Iran could be a de facto nuclear power before 2011 is over".....
"I'm very alarmed", said Nicholas Burns, America's former chief negotiator on Iran. "I've read many IAEA reports over the years and they are very carefully written by civil servants. This time they are clearly ringing the alarm bells"......
Burns believes military intervention should be on the table. "The latest report makes clear Iran is one of the top two or three challenges facing the Obama administration", he said.
U.S. Quietly Supplies Israel With Bunker-Busting Bombs
'China will not stop Israel if it decides to attack Iran'
"Iran could have nuclear bomb 'within 6 months'
Iran may be just six months away from developing a nuclear bomb despite international attempts to thwart the programme through sanctions.....
The latest report by inspectors from the IAEA concludes that Iran has not only boosted production but upgraded the level of enrichment from 3.5% to almost 20% and has installed more sophisticated centrifuges which it is moving to the bunker in Qom, apparently to protect them from airstrikes.....
"We believe if Iran broke out now they could have a bomb in six months", said David Albright, a former weapons inspector who now runs the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.....
Greg Jones, a defence analyst at the Nonproliferation Policy Education Centre, calculates that Iran could now produce a bomb within 62 days......
A new report by the Bipartisan Policy Centre, a think tank set up by US Senators warns: "The Islamic Republic of Iran could be a de facto nuclear power before 2011 is over".....
"I'm very alarmed", said Nicholas Burns, America's former chief negotiator on Iran. "I've read many IAEA reports over the years and they are very carefully written by civil servants. This time they are clearly ringing the alarm bells"......
Burns believes military intervention should be on the table. "The latest report makes clear Iran is one of the top two or three challenges facing the Obama administration", he said.
U.S. Quietly Supplies Israel With Bunker-Busting Bombs
'China will not stop Israel if it decides to attack Iran'
Who really got us here
ORAC
When Reagan cut and ran from Lebanon after 241 Americans were killed he rewarded the masterminds behind it (Iran) by supplying them weapons. If Iran gets the bomb, they will not dare to use it so they are still impotent, but it would deserve a mention at the Reagan library as another achievement of his adminstration (put it next to the Olly North shrine).
The Sultan
When Reagan cut and ran from Lebanon after 241 Americans were killed he rewarded the masterminds behind it (Iran) by supplying them weapons. If Iran gets the bomb, they will not dare to use it so they are still impotent, but it would deserve a mention at the Reagan library as another achievement of his adminstration (put it next to the Olly North shrine).
The Sultan
Sultan....that is the simplest (in the British usage of the word) explanation of the attempt by the Reagan Administration to gain the release of hostages I have ever heard.
You omitted a small thing called the iran/Iraq War, the Civil War in Lebanon, the kidnapping and murder of a fair number of people by Terror groups, and a host of other issues that surrounded that series of events.
Having the acquaintance of Ollie North, Netanyahu, and some others that were involved in that affair....allows me to know that you not only do not know what you are talking about....but you don't even know what you don't know. What's worse....it would be a Fool's Errand to even try to explain it to you.
Just why do you think Army Dinner Jacket and company would not either set off....or provide a nuke to a Terrorist Group for their use...should the Iranians ever cobble one the things together?
Pray tell....do you have an inside covert source that provided you with that gem of insight?
Or....perhaps....you just sat down and figgered it all out for yerself this morning over coffee?
Cirrus,
You make what could be a rather fatal miscalculation in your logic....you assume you are dealing with folks who think rationally at all times...and in all matters. That simply isn't the case with the Iranian Regime extant. They seek Martyrdom and see dying in the pursuit of their sick and warped dream as being the highest honour. Attempting to negotiate with folks like that is very similar to doing the same with a Woman with PMS. You just cannot count on things following the hoped for path if these Nutters ever get the Bomb!
In fact....my money would bet on them just by Golly deciding to light off one the Sun Bright Flash Bulbs the second they think they can bring the downfall of the Infidel societies in the West. If they wind up back in tents in the desert....breeding Goats and Camels....it would allow them to live out their fantasies of being back in the Dark Ages...and free of Infidels.
You omitted a small thing called the iran/Iraq War, the Civil War in Lebanon, the kidnapping and murder of a fair number of people by Terror groups, and a host of other issues that surrounded that series of events.
Having the acquaintance of Ollie North, Netanyahu, and some others that were involved in that affair....allows me to know that you not only do not know what you are talking about....but you don't even know what you don't know. What's worse....it would be a Fool's Errand to even try to explain it to you.
Just why do you think Army Dinner Jacket and company would not either set off....or provide a nuke to a Terrorist Group for their use...should the Iranians ever cobble one the things together?
Pray tell....do you have an inside covert source that provided you with that gem of insight?
Or....perhaps....you just sat down and figgered it all out for yerself this morning over coffee?
Cirrus,
You make what could be a rather fatal miscalculation in your logic....you assume you are dealing with folks who think rationally at all times...and in all matters. That simply isn't the case with the Iranian Regime extant. They seek Martyrdom and see dying in the pursuit of their sick and warped dream as being the highest honour. Attempting to negotiate with folks like that is very similar to doing the same with a Woman with PMS. You just cannot count on things following the hoped for path if these Nutters ever get the Bomb!
In fact....my money would bet on them just by Golly deciding to light off one the Sun Bright Flash Bulbs the second they think they can bring the downfall of the Infidel societies in the West. If they wind up back in tents in the desert....breeding Goats and Camels....it would allow them to live out their fantasies of being back in the Dark Ages...and free of Infidels.
Last edited by SASless; 26th Sep 2011 at 01:27.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Perth Western Australia
Age: 57
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
but you don't even know what you don't know
.
Sorry SAS couldn't help myself and wanted to inject a bit of humor.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia - South of where I'd like to be !
Age: 59
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure what the ruling clerics are like in terms of being hell bent on wiping out the infidels, unlike the President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but at least they hold him in check to an extent.
They have certainly publicly curtailed him recently.
.
They have certainly publicly curtailed him recently.
.
What Hostages?
What hostages are you talking about? Not the embassy people as Iran held them to get Reagan elected. They release them the day he took over. If it was to the few kidnapped victims afterwords well they would have been a small additional cost to what should have been a see you in fifty years response. Instead we ran and gave them weapons so we could back despots in South America.
As to Netenyahoo he is only surviving off his true hero brother's legacy, He could not care less on the lives and treasure the US spends that we would not have to if Rabin had not been shot in the back by a coward (which seemed to be advantageous to one party). Sas which party was that again? Who runs it now?
Letting Net try to influence next year elections is on par with with Iran supporting Reagan. While we can not fix the 80's we can tell Net to f' off and defend himself.
As to the elections. Libya has oil b'es!.
The Sultan
As to Netenyahoo he is only surviving off his true hero brother's legacy, He could not care less on the lives and treasure the US spends that we would not have to if Rabin had not been shot in the back by a coward (which seemed to be advantageous to one party). Sas which party was that again? Who runs it now?
Letting Net try to influence next year elections is on par with with Iran supporting Reagan. While we can not fix the 80's we can tell Net to f' off and defend himself.
As to the elections. Libya has oil b'es!.
The Sultan
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 76
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
21th century weapons -v- 1st century fundamentalists????
Reminds me of the 1970s in Vietnam where the US were beaten by an army on bicycles. Ooopppsss .............
Reminds me of the 1970s in Vietnam where the US were beaten by an army on bicycles. Ooopppsss .............
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in 1969 I paid a second visit to Tehran whilst on 84 Sqn. BOAC provided handling facilities and an English speaking Guide to assist us during our stay.
We were aware, and I am sure that our Guide was aware that we were aware, that our Guide was a Colonel in the Iranian Secret Police.
On checking out from the Hotel our Navigator found that he had mislaid his wallet - probably whilst he was "on the Throne" prior to departure. We raised the matter with our Guide who presented the Hotel Staff with his Warrent Card. The Staff went grey and the Manager dispatched people all over the Hotel to search for the missing wallet. Within 10 minutes the Navigators wallet was found and returned to its owner.
Oddly enough the wallet had more money in it than it had contained when it was lost!!
We were aware, and I am sure that our Guide was aware that we were aware, that our Guide was a Colonel in the Iranian Secret Police.
On checking out from the Hotel our Navigator found that he had mislaid his wallet - probably whilst he was "on the Throne" prior to departure. We raised the matter with our Guide who presented the Hotel Staff with his Warrent Card. The Staff went grey and the Manager dispatched people all over the Hotel to search for the missing wallet. Within 10 minutes the Navigators wallet was found and returned to its owner.
Oddly enough the wallet had more money in it than it had contained when it was lost!!
Gentlemen, the scenario here is that the Iranians wish to build a nuclear device.
Forget the propaganda about wiping Israel off the map etc. They aren't planning on using it.
They are far more sophisticated than many here are crediting them...
They get the bomb and you have to talk & concede. That is the real fear.
Ultimately its a diplomatic advantage/issue.
Preventing (delaying) them getting there is a diplomatic calculus exersize... which must consider all options. Israel's tail will wag the US dog once again I fear.
Some day, the rest of the world, tiring of the economic fallout from special interests in this region will say sod the lot of you.
Forget the propaganda about wiping Israel off the map etc. They aren't planning on using it.
They are far more sophisticated than many here are crediting them...
They get the bomb and you have to talk & concede. That is the real fear.
Ultimately its a diplomatic advantage/issue.
Preventing (delaying) them getting there is a diplomatic calculus exersize... which must consider all options. Israel's tail will wag the US dog once again I fear.
Some day, the rest of the world, tiring of the economic fallout from special interests in this region will say sod the lot of you.