NYT “Blinken mentions that leaders of both countries should persuade Putin”
CNN reported on the 17th (local time) that Russia is trying to develop a nuclear space weapon that can destroy satellites with energy waves from space.
CNN reported this, citing three sources familiar with U.S. intelligence agencies. The nuclear explosion could create an energy wave that could paralyze commercial and government satellites on which the world’s mobile phone calls and internet depend, the sources said.
Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said on the 14th that the government has “serious intelligence on national security threats.”
Accordingly, on the 16th, President Joe Biden announced that what Chairman Turner was referring to was Russia’s new nuclear-related anti-satellite capability. However, authorities declined to comment further, citing confidentiality of the information.
Biden administration officials have publicly emphasized that the weapon is still under development and is not yet on track.
But if the weapon were used, it would cross a dangerous Rubicon in the history of nuclear weapons and could bring extreme disruption to daily life in ways that are difficult to predict, officials said.
CNN explained that this weapon is commonly known as a nuclear EMP among military and space experts. They say it creates electromagnetic energy waves and a lot of electrical particles, which could interfere with other satellites flying around the Earth.
The Pentagon and intelligence community have been tracking Russia’s efforts to develop a wide range of anti-satellite weapons, including EMPs, for years. According to a Defense Department official, there has been a series of intelligence reports in recent months, particularly regarding Russian efforts to develop nuclear-powered anti-satellite capabilities. CNN assessed that Russia’s efforts are making progress.
CNN pointed out that it is not clear whether this weapon can affect global navigation systems (GPS) and nuclear command and control satellites that fly in higher orbits than large commercial and government satellites. He said it is also unclear how well this technology has been developed.
However, experts pointed out to the media that this type of weapon could affect small satellites such as SpaceX’s Starlink, which is being used successfully in Ukraine, which is still at war with Russia.
In particular, it will be Russia’s “ultimate weapon,” one U.S. official and source said.
In relation to this, the United States is said to have begun diplomatic efforts, including mentioning the possibility of Russia’s nuclear weapons to China and India.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 17th that U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who visited Munich, Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, raised the possibility of Russia’s nuclear weapons movement to China and India.
NYT said, “Secretary Blinken’s message was straightforward,” and said that if Russia causes a nuclear explosion in space, not only American satellites, but also Chinese and Indian satellites will be eliminated.
Secretary Blinken said it was up to Chinese and Indian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to persuade President Vladimir Putin of a situation that could turn into a disaster.
The Outer Space Treaty, which went into effect in 1967 between the United States and Russia, prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons, in space. Biden administration officials are concerned that if Russia violates this, North Korea and others will follow suit.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.