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McLaughlin, Kevin. "Would Space-Based Defenses Improve Security?." Washington Quarterly. Vol. 25 (Summer 2002): 177-191. [ 3 quotes ]

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U.S. has already Crossed the Threshold to Weaponize Outer-Space
 
Nonetheless, the above paragraphs indicate that the United States quietly crossed this space threshold at the end of the last century in ways that did not pertain to missile defense. The United States now leverages satellites to fight battles in ways that overwhelm adversaries. Our satellites allow field commanders to see the entire battlefield, communicate globally and instantaneously, attack targets precisely, avoid threats, and warn of aggression in ways that no other nation in the world can match. Arguing that space already affords the United States an overwhelming military advantage is no overstatement. ( More ... )
McLaughlin, Kevin. "Would Space-Based Defenses Improve Security?." Washington Quarterly. Vol. 25 (Summer 2002): 177-191. [ 3 quotes ] [ page 186 ]
Other Countries may Simply be Unable to Compete with U.S. Technological and Military Dominance
 
Observers have not yet fully understood or analyzed another possible reality. The current striking disparity between the United States and all other countries in economic, technological, and military endeavors places extreme limits on most countries’ abilities to respond meaningfully. Old concerns that U.S. advances in missile defense or space would spawn undesirable arms races may no longer be valid. For example, the United States is the only nation capable of implementing and sustaining decisive military force on a global basis. The war in Afghanistan provided a snapshot of this ability. ( More ... )
McLaughlin, Kevin. "Would Space-Based Defenses Improve Security?." Washington Quarterly. Vol. 25 (Summer 2002): 177-191. [ 3 quotes ] [ page 184 ]
U.S. Must Consider the Political Implications of its Actions on the International Community
 
In today's globalized society, the United States must balance its security needs with the implications of U.S. actions on the international community. Despite the changing geopolitical environment, the United States should act only after careful consultation and negotiation with its friends and allies. Earnest consultations do not guarantee agreement, however, and the United States may have to act unilaterally to protect its interests. Such actions may animate other nations to conclude that the United States is too powerful and must be opposed at every level to reduce the level of U.S. dominance in a particular domain. In particular, the idea of using space in support of U.S. missile defense capabilities will quite likely meet with skepticism and disagreement abroad. How can the
United States, then, pursue its own interests in a manner that might engender support or at least bring about neutral reactions on the part of others? ( More ... )
McLaughlin, Kevin. "Would Space-Based Defenses Improve Security?." Washington Quarterly. Vol. 25 (Summer 2002): 177-191. [ 3 quotes ] [ page 187 ]