Why the US wants a ban on ASAT missile testing

Why the US wants a ban on ASAT missile testing

Why would the US restrain itself and allow its adversaries to continue developing and perfecting a technology that can bring military advantages? Because it is in the US national interest to do so, explains Kunal Singh for the Hindustan Times

May 6, 2022 | Hindustan Times | Kunal Singh
US Vice President Kamala Harris
Kunal Singh
May 6, 2022
Hindustan Times

On April 18, United States (US) vice-president, Kamala Harris, announced a national, unilateral moratorium on “destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite [ASAT] missile testing”. Harris added that the US aims to establish “a new international norm for responsible behaviour in space,” which would “benefit all nations”. Setting a norm takes time and requires the participation of several prominent actors. When China and Russia are firmly in the opposite bloc, it will be a big surprise if either of those two cooperates with the US in establishing a norm. In effect, the US is restraining only its own behaviour, even as its two major adversaries can continue to test direct-ascent ASAT missiles (allowed in international law).

Read the full article here. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/why-the-us-wants-a-ban-on-asat-mi...