Weapons in Space: A New Kind of Armament
James Carroll, International Herald Tribune | May 15, 2008
The US is making a bold, perhaps doltish, move by refusing to discuss a treaty aimed at preventing weapons in outer space. ++ China and Russia have warned that a countermove would be unavoidable to ensure their own security. ++ Many are urging the Pentagon to consider the historical consequences of expanding warfare to new frontiers. ++ In reality, however, defense contractors and military commanders are controlling the debate. ++ In any case, an arming of outer space could completely shift the earth’s current geopolitical character.
Sun, May 18th 2008, 12:45
ilyas m mohsin, ppp, Platinum Contributor (250)
Apparently it will be difficult to go it alone in the case of space. Russia has benefitted greatly while the US is at the receiving end due to ill-advised policy framewoek followed by the neo-cons in Iraq/Afghanistan.
China is busy accumulating power and influence all over the world while keeping, generally, a low profile at the diplomatic level. However, it shot its own satellite in spce to send a message to the US that it should not be counted out of the contest.
Like the nukes, it will have to be a privilege of the powerful to share the space. Such monopoly is bound to create tensions among the have-nots as is the case with the resentment against those promising to abandon the nuclear weapons for the last fifty years.