Obama seeks to deter nuclear Iran with missile defense

Via CNN:

President Barack Obama will re-engage with Gulf State allies at a summit next week on a proposal for a common ballistic missile defense system that could act as a deterrent to a potentially nuclear armed Iran, a U.S. official confirms to CNN on Wednesday.

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The administration’s proposals for greater defense cooperation with Gulf State allies appear to be aimed at easing concerns in the region about the proposed nuclear deal with Iran, negotiated by the U.S., Tehran, and other world powers.

If you think this is an overstatement, review the address given by Frank A. Rose, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance at the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ballistic Missile Defense Seminar held at the National Defense University on April 20.

Our commitment is steadfast. In the past years, the United States has undertaken a robust series of diplomatic, military, and intelligence actions to ensure that countries or actors that seek to undermine GCC states’ security cannot and will not be permitted to do so. BMD is one of these areas.
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Missile defense supports political and diplomatic activities by enhancing regional stability and by assuring leaders and populations under threat that they have a defense against attack. BMD raises the wall of deterrence by complicating an adversary’s calculus, denying them the certainty of a successful attack, and signaling determination to resist intimidation.

Can someone take a wild guess at the unnamed “actor” or “adversary” who would be deterred by Ballistic Missile Defense. My guess is that is isn’t al Qaeda or ISIS.

I really wish someone could explain to me the downside of the US walking away from the Iran nuclear talks. If we do walk away the Iranians will have enough material for a nuclear weapon in about three months but they will still be under a punishing sanctions regime. If we continue the talks they will have enough material for a nuclear weapon in about three months, sanctions will be removed, and we will give them access to $50 billion if impounded cash. If we are contemplating a missile shield over Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States to deter an Iranian nuclear strike, what, exactly are we getting out of this deal? Other than screwed, I mean?