Trump's Space Force will Incite an Arms Race in Space

Authors

Erika Simpson, University of Western Ontario (Western University)Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2018

Volume

34

Issue

3

Journal

Peace Magazine

First Page

16

Last Page

19

Abstract

In July 2018, Erika Simpson critiques President Trump's proposal for a "Space Force," arguing it could trigger a new arms race in space. Trump’s vision of space as a warfighting domain and his push for increased missile defense spending could exacerbate global tensions and undermine existing arms control regimes. The Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review highlights a focus on space-based threats, but details remain unclear. Simpson questions whether Canada should participate in U.S. missile defense and space militarization, emphasizing the risk of escalating an arms race with Russia and China. She advocates for maintaining space as a demilitarized zone and stresses the need for a thoughtful Canadian response to these emerging threats.

Notes

First published in the Peace Magazine.