Military Space News
SPACEWAR
US facing 'serious' security threat: top lawmakers
US facing 'serious' security threat: top lawmakers
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) Feb 14, 2024

The United States is facing a new and "serious" national security threat, top officials warned Wednesday, with two media outlets reporting it involves a Russian attempt to build a space-based nuclear capability.

ABC News and The New York Times quoted unidentified officials saying that Russia was developing a nuclear, space-based anti-satellite weapon.

According to officials quoted in the Times, Russia has not yet deployed such a capability.

In public, officials said there was no need for panic -- but refused to give details, only issuing cryptic statements about a serious matter, which is set to be discussed in a closed-doors meeting between congressional leaders and the White House on Thursday.

The first inkling of something unusual came from US House Intelligence Committee chairman Michael Turner, who abruptly issued a statement referring to a "serious national security threat."

"I am requesting that President (Joe) 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," he said.

Unidentified sources told NBC and CNN the threat was a "highly concerning" Russian military capability, without providing further details.

Turner and his Democratic counterpart Jim Himes said in a letter to lawmakers the panel had "identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability that should be known by all congressional policymakers."

They said the committee had voted on Tuesday to make classified information available in a secure location for review by lawmakers until Friday.

Himes urged caution, however, in a separate statement in which he described the intelligence as "significant" but not "a cause for panic."

The Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, also urged caution, telling reporters at the Capitol that "there is no need for public alarm."

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan signaled frustration that Turner had gone public ahead of briefing already planned for Thursday.

Sullivan said he would be meeting with the four House members in the "Gang of Eight" group of party leaders and top intelligence committee members.

The drama played out with Biden and the Republican-led House at an impasse over a White House request for $60 billion in military aid to help Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion entering its third year.

Johnson -- who has repeatedly warned he will not address allies' security until America's immigration system is shored up -- is refusing to bring the Senate-passed bill to the floor for a vote.

"The most urgent national security threat facing the American people right now is the possibility that Congress abandons Ukraine and allows Vladimir Putin's Russia to win," said Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Related Links
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACEWAR
Iran launches three satellites into orbit
Tehran (AFP) Jan 28, 2024
Iran on Sunday said it simultaneously launched three satellites into orbit, nearly a week after the launch of a research satellite by the Revolutionary Guards drew Western criticism. "Three Iranian satellites have been successfully launched into orbit for the first time," state TV reported. The satellites were carried by the two-stage Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier and were launched into a minimum orbit of 450 kilometres (280 miles), it added. The Mahda satellite, which weighs around ... read more

SPACEWAR
Aerojet Rocketdyne Powers Key U.S. Missile Defense Test with Advanced MRBM Target

THAAD Localization Efforts Align with Saudi Vision 2030 Objectives

Northrop Grumman Advances Homeland Defense with Early NGI Milestone

U.S. hits two more Houthi missiles in ninth Yemen attack

SPACEWAR
Yemen rebels say fired at 'British ship' as US keeps up campaign

Russia fires 26 missiles at Ukraine, at least one dead

North Korea fires several cruise missiles off east coast

CENTCOM says it thwarted Houthi missile launcher strike on Red Sea vessels

SPACEWAR
UK details plans for drone 'coalition' for Ukraine

US vows decisive response to deadly drone attack in Jordan

LIDS: The Army's Answer to Evolving Unmanned Aircraft Threats

DARPA's REMA Program Revolutionizes Commercial Drone Autonomy for Military Use

SPACEWAR
Viasat Installs Advanced SATCOM System on First U.S. Navy MSC Ship

Space Force initiates MUOS Service Life Extension with Lockheed Martin design contract

Government Connectivity Enters New Era: MetTel and Partners Highlight LEO Satellite Solutions

General Atomics to Showcase Optical Communication Terminals in Space with SDA Contract

SPACEWAR
Northrop Grumman to Revolutionize Space Missions with Next-Gen Cryocoolers

The US 'can and will' deliver more Ukraine aid: top advisor

Ukraine urges EU to speed up artillery shell supplies

Curtiss-Wright Unveils New Rugged SFF Mission Computer for Harsh Environments

SPACEWAR
Stoltenberg says 18 of 31 NATO members set to meet 2% GDP spending goal

NATO showcases spending hikes in riposte to Trump

US hails more NATO states meeting defense spending target

Senate passes $95B emergency defense bill with Ukraine, Israel aid

SPACEWAR
EU chief backs calls for new defence tsar

Sweden hopes for Hungarian go ahead to join NATO

UN experts voice concern for hunger striking activist in Vietnam

Meeting NATO, Blinken warns Ukraine gains in doubt if no US aid

SPACEWAR
Researchers unveil novel technique for creating atomically thin nanoscrolls

MIT.nano equipment to accelerate innovation in "tough tech" sectors

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.