US Officials Warn of New Information About Russian Nuclear Anti-Satellite System

Recently, senior members of Congress were briefed by intelligence officials on new information discovered about a top-secret Russian plan to deploy a nuclear anti-satellite system in orbit. While some lawmakers called for the information to be made public, others stressed that the military technology did not pose an immediate danger to the US.

Urgent warning

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On Wednesday, Republican Representative Mike Turner, the chairman of the House Intelligence panel, issued a mysterious and alarming statement. Turner warned that he and his colleagues had been given “information concerning a serious national security threat.”

Let people know

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“I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat,” Turner urged.

Hinting at the truth

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Turner asked lawmakers to come see the new information for themselves. He hinted that it was about a “destabilizing foreign military capability that should be known by all congressional policymakers.”

The reality

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According to sources interviewed by CNN, CBS, ABC, and other major news outlets, the military capability in question was an ongoing attempt by Russia to deploy a nuclear anti-satellite system in space.

Major violation

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If successfully deployed, this system would violate the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The treaty bans “any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction” from being put in orbit.

Huge threat

While sources told CNN that the military system was still being developed and would almost certainly not contain weapons to target humans, other officials stressed that it was still a major threat to US interests. The US, its allies, and numerous non-governmental organizations rely on an extensive network of American satellites for communications.

Major issue

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“If it’s orbital,” the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists said, “it’s a new level of threat … whether it’s nuclear or not.” The US relies on its satellite network for control over its massive nuclear arsenal.

Exaggerating the problem

Other officials weren’t so impressed. “There is no cause for alarm,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters. “We just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel,” he said. “We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm.”

Issue has been known

Some officials, Johnson included, have known about the new Russian system since January. “The classified intelligence product that the House Intelligence Committee called to the attention of Members last night is a significant one, but it is not a cause for panic,” Democratic Representative Jim Himes echoed.

Strange timing

Jake Sullivan, a national security advisor, said he was planning on briefing key politicians — including Turner — on the new intelligence on Thursday. “That’s been on the books. So I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today in advance of a meeting on the books for me to go sit with him alongside our intelligence and defense professionals tomorrow.”

Real motive

It’s possible that Turner announced the new information in an effort to help push through aid for Ukraine, which his Republican colleagues seem determined to block. Johnson, for example, has said he will refuse to allow the aid bill, which has passed the Senate, to come to the House floor.

Long time coming

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Russia has spent years attempting to counter US dominance in space. In 2020, the country tested an anti-satellite weapon that could theoretically service allied satellites and attack enemy ones.