By
Bob Brewin
The Defense Department released its National Security Space Strategy, which amounts to the policy equivalent of an iron fist inside a velvet glove.
The 21-page strategy document emphasizes that the United States seeks "a stable space environment in which nations exercise shared responsibility to act as stewards of the space domain and follow norms of behavior."
It added, "We seek a secure space environment in which responsible nations have access to space and the benefits of space operations without need to exercise their inherent right of self-defense," and calls for international cooperation on satellite orbits, frequency coordination and even an offer to share information from missile warning systems.
But the strategy also warned that while the United States will support diplomatic efforts "to promote responsible behavior in space," deterring aggression against U.S. space systems is a key part of the strategy.
The United States "will retain the right and capabilities to respond in self-defense, should deterrence fail. We will use force in a manner that is consistent with longstanding principles of international law, treaties to which the United States is a party, and the inherent right of self defense," the strategy concluded.