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https://theconversation.com/is-russia-looking-to-put-nukes-in-space-doing-so-would-undermine-global-stability-and-ignite-an-anti-satellite-arms-race-223702>
"Fresh U.S. intelligence circulating in Congress reportedly indicates that
Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon in space with a nuclear
component.
News reports speculating about what the weapon could be abounded after Rep.
Mike Turner, R-Ohio, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, released a
cryptic but alarming statement on Feb. 14, 2024, regarding the information,
which he framed as a “serious national security threat.” Some sources suggested
a nuclear weapon. Others suspect a weapon that is nuclear-powered but not a
nuclear warhead.
The White House confirmed the following day that the Russian system under
development is a space-based anti-satellite weapon and that if it were
deployed, it would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which bans weapons of
mass destruction in space. The Kremlin responded by dismissing the reports as a
“malicious fabrication.”
While the exact weapon remains unknown to the public, the events raise the
specter of nuclear weapons in space at a tense time. Relations between the
United States and Russia are at their lowest in decades, and Russia is
currently waging a war of aggression in Ukraine.
As a scholar of nuclear strategy, I know the U.S. reports come at a time when
the nuclear world order is shifting significantly. China and others are
expanding and modernizing their arsenals. Iran is close to being able to
produce a nuclear weapon. Other countries may eventually want their own nuclear
weapons.
At the same time, several countries are developing new weapons to attack
targets in space. This list includes Russia, the U.S., China and India,
although none currently field weapons in space."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
