China and Russia Race Ahead of America
Caroline Glick
Over the past several weeks a hard truth has become undeniable: The United States of America is no longer the all-powerful superpower it has been since the end of the Cold War. Far from it. The strategic implications of this state of affairs are epic for both the US and its allies.
A nation’s position in the global pecking order is based on two things – its capabilities and its credibility. America’s capabilities have diminished relative to its superpower competitors in a stunning way. And so has its credibility.
For over a generation, US leaders eschewed “the weaponization of space.” But as they congratulated themselves for their restraint, the Chinese and the Russians weaponized space.
On Nov. 16, Russia launched a surface-to-air missile into space that destroyed an antiquated Cosmos spy satellite located dangerously close to the International Space Station. The satellite exploded into 1,500 pieces, all of which were large enough to imperil the space station and the eight astronauts (including two Russians) on board. NASA responded with a nasty condemnation.
This brings us to China.
China’s anti-satellite program is far vaster than Russia’s. China has missiles capable of destroying satellites and it fields laser and jamming technologies capable of blocking satellite communications. Last month, China raised its anti-satellite capabilities up several notches with its launch of Shijian-21. Shijian-21 is a satellite with a robotic arm which the Chinese claim is geared towards cleaning “space junk.”
A successful assault on US satellites would paralyze the US and allied armed forces. Depending on how badly US satellites are crippled, an anti-satellite strike could also devastate the US economy and much of the global economy.
In an interview last weekend at a security forum in Halifax, Canada, deputy US Space Command Commander Gen. David Thompson discussed the US response to the aggressive actions China and Russia are taking against US satellites.
The fact that both Russia and China have the capacity to destroy and sabotage US satellite systems would be bad enough if it were the only aspect of the two powers’ weaponization of space. But it isn’t the only – or even biggest — threat the US faces from its adversaries’ weaponization of space. The threat of hypersonic missiles is far worse.
In my opinion, it's an opinion about USA without credibility, but do agree we don't have a credible Leader at the Helm presently; Perhaps behind the scenes more is going on knowing this? Hope!
ReplyDeleteNow, as far as Credibility, IMO, neither CCP, Iran, NK, Russia nor Israel at the moment, show any credibility since all are blustering, boasting, showing their hands, talking a big talk, and acting like they are over-playing their power grabs with Covid Ruse, in my opinion! As far as their toys, perhaps the ones that might actually use them to cripple another, is the USA. The rest seem bent on being carelessly stupid while showing their toys off. So who has strategy wins. It's not how big you are, it's how well your strategist are. Israel has proven size doesn't matter, shown the world this numerous times in spite of their recent Nazi show of lock-downs with their Covid Ruse IMO!No one believes Biden is actually in control. So the void is there in USA, who is it that would step up for USA to cold-cock another player that thinks they possess a magic bullet?
Do we really want to find out? Prayers for Peace! Best to watch opponents first, then strike, right?