Space Militarisation and International Security: The Next Frontier of Global Conflict
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51699/mjssh.v3i5.203Keywords:
Space, Militarisation, International Security, Global Conflict, International Relations, Global PeaceAbstract
The increasing militarization of space presents a significant threat to international security. As nations like the United States, China, and Russia pursue advanced space-based military technologies, space has transitioned from a peaceful frontier to a contested domain. These developments threaten both space and terrestrial security, with far-reaching implications for international relations and global peace. It is within this social milieu that this study investigated the strategic motivations behind space militarization, assess its impact on international security, and evaluate the effectiveness of current international frameworks. The study is anchored in Neo-realism (Structural Realism) and adopted a qualitative design. Data were analyzed using content analysis to explore geopolitical drivers and security concerns. The study found that space militarization exacerbated geopolitical competition, increases the risk of conflict, and highlights the limitations of existing treaties in regulating space-based militarization. The findings underscored the urgency of developing stronger international governance frameworks to mitigate space-related threats. Strengthen international cooperation through updated treaties that regulate space weaponization and establish enforceable norms for peaceful space conduct
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