Russia's Antisatellite Technology Poses No Immediate Threat, says White House Spokesman
In a statement on Thursday, White House spokesman John F. Kirby reassured the public that the antisatellite technology being developed by Russia has not been deployed and poses "no immediate threat to anyone's safety." Kirby emphasized that the weapon in question is not capable of attacking human beings or causing physical destruction on Earth.
Kirby's comments came in response to calls from Republicans to declassify intelligence related to the weapon. The concerns were raised after Representative Michael R. Turner, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, made a cryptic announcement. Current and former officials familiar with the matter revealed that Russia is believed to be making advancements on a new, space-based nuclear weapon that could potentially threaten America's extensive satellite network.
President Biden is being regularly briefed on the issue, and the White House expresses "serious concerns" about declassifying all of the gathered information. Kirby clarified that the weapon is space-based and lacks the capability to disarm or attack structures in space from the ground.
The administration plans to advocate for a "strategic way" of declassification, with Jake Sullivan, the president's national security adviser, scheduled to meet with members of House leadership to brief them on the latest intelligence and the administration's analysis.
Analyst comment
Neutral news. In the short term, the market is unlikely to be significantly affected. However, if tensions between the US and Russia escalate due to this weapon development, it could lead to increased military spending and potential market volatility. Monitoring the situation is advised.
