Both the Chinese and the Russians know this, and both understand that although they strongly oppose the weaponization of space, they have no choice but to deploy their own offensive and defensive space weapons, regardless of the potentially cataclysmic consequences.

To suggest, as some have, that the Chinese and Russians "might feel compelled" to deploy their own space systems in response to American actions, is as naive as suggesting that via normal diplomacy the current Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld administration might be convinced to change their mind and reverse course, or that the abundant number of Pentagon or U.S. Air Force and similar weaponization documents originating in Washington are merely wishful hawk thinking, or that a new Democrat-controlled House and Senate would halt or do much more than marginally slow down the planned space research and deployment.

There is zero question that the U.S. plans to "control space" and plans to "deny others the use of space" for any purpose the U.S. opposes now, or might oppose in the future. Even though ultimately the U.S. would be infinitely more secure in joining with other nations in opposing space weaponization, the military-industrial complex in that country has grown so powerful and so influential in Washington that rationality relating to the perceived threat from China no longer exists, and growing paranoia reigns supreme. While Russia once again is considered a threat in the Pentagon and White House, it is Beijing that is far and away the focus of growing U.S. fears.

For those of us who dread the inevitable terrible consequences of space weaponization,the question is clear. What, if anything, can we do about it?

Mel Hurtig will attempt to answer this question in his presentation.

Dr Jurgen Scheffran

Jurgen's presentation can be obtained from here (1.76MB PDF file)

(See: the video report "War from Space" on YouTube or video.google and "Speaking at the World Peace Forum 2006" - also: Bruce Gagnon's Trip Report)