Asia Times: Star Wars: Empires strike back

[unhappycamper]

Star Wars: Empires strike back
By Giuseppe Anzera
Aug 18, 2005

A series of Pentagon initiatives aimed at space militarization and the creation of new types of armament - capable of precisely striking small targets in every corner of the world and neutralizing most of today's anti-aircraft defenses - will likely result in a new power battlefield in the near future.

While the implementation of space weapons is likely to increase the capability gap between Washington and other powers at first, a broader vision reveals dangers involved in the move that could affect US interests, for it will likely trigger determined reactions by its competitors. Competitor states could successfully deploy a small number of low-cost orbital weapons, thus forcing the US to design an extremely expensive space defense system.

Thus, a space weaponization policy may generate more troubles than advantages for Washington.

The Pentagon's plans to militarize space have definitely emerged. In mid-May, the US Air Force formally asked President George W Bush to issue a presidential directive that allows Washington to deploy defensive and offensive weapons into orbit. Formally, the new directive was necessary to replace a precedent decree (PDD-NSC-49 - National Space Policy) issued by the Bill Clinton administration, which forbids the indiscriminate militarization of space. While the decree has not yet been issued, speculation over the Pentagon's move already hit the news.

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http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/GH18Aa01.html

[bemildred]

1. "Competitor states" should do just enough to make the US go bankrupt

if it insists on pursuing this twaddle.

[Burried News]

2. Is it really impossible to use a Reagan strategy against the U.S.?

Seems like we beat off an attack via the Euro this year but eventually the use of the economic Nuke might stop the space race in its tracks.

[K-W]

3. This technology is an absolute pipe dream. EOM

[Demeter]

4. More LIke A Pipe Bomb

Why is it that the only kind of technology the GOP funds is the technology of destruction? (When it isn't outright cover for fraud and snake oil?)