First, when considering the power of Iran, by firing off a missile and publishing its success Iran is attempting to show its power to the world, perhaps in particular to the United States. Last week, US helicopters reportedly entered Iranian airspace. In order to show the United States that it two is willing to play hard ball Iran held this test. While the missile hardly has the power to reach the United States itself, the range could certainly pose a threat to US troops in the regions of Iraq or Afghanistan and possibly to US ally Israel. The United States has been pushing the idea of a missile shield in Eastern Europe also as a defense mechanism. This notion has enraged Russia, however, who has threatened to respond by also setting up a shield in its Baltic region.

This power struggle is also an example of how each of these nations is trying to achieve security through arms. By displaying its missile capability, Iran is hoping to deter the United States from any aggressive action towards Iran. Likewise, the mention of a shield in Eastern Europe is also an attempt by the United States to deter any action by Iran. Though these shields do not protect the land mass of the United States it would serve to protect US interests in the region. Russia is also trying to show, particularly to the United States, that it (Russia) is still the power in this region.