The House Intelligence Committee Chair asked Biden to declassify intel on reported nuclear anti-satellite weapon

House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) called on President Joe Biden to declassify all intelligence reports related to an unnamed “serious national security threat” on Wednesday, as reported by ABC News. Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, addressed the remarks in a press briefing, assured reporters the country faced no imminent threat of attack, and confirmed that he reached out to congressional leaders. Sullivan offered no further details of the supposed threat.

According to ABC News, two sources familiar with deliberations on Capitol Hill told the outlet that the classified intelligence involved Russian ambitions to put a nuclear weapon into space — not to drop a nuclear weapon onto Earth, but rather to possibly use against satellites. “It is very concerning and very sensitive,” one source reportedly told the outlet, calling it “a big deal.”

“Current and former officials said the nuclear weapon was not in orbit,” The New York Times reported, confirming ABC News’ report. Turner’s warning comes ahead of a previously planned Thursday meeting on the topic between congressional leaders and Biden’s top security advisers which Turner is scheduled to attend. Sullivan said he “was a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out today.”

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Outer Space Treaty

    Article IV

    States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.

    https://2009-2017.state.gov/t/isn/5181.htm

    Russia ratified this when they were still the USSR. I would not at all be surprised if Putin argues that means they are no longer a signatory.

    • gregorum@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      Russia ratified this when they were still the USSR. I would not at all be surprised if Putin argues that means they are no longer a signatory.

      which would be pretty fucked, since the opposite argument is how they kept the USSR’s permanent UNSC seat.

      • Windex007@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        They already said that the agreement to never invade Ukraine in exchange for all Ukraine’s nukes was not valid because the USSR, not Russia, made the deal.

        They’re pretty comfortable playing both sides of the argument

    • Jaysyn@kbin.social
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      9 months ago

      Russia ratified this when they were still the USSR. I would not at all be surprised if Putin argues that means they are no longer a signatory.

      Fine, then they no longer get the other perks of being the heir to the USSR, like a UN veto.

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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      9 months ago

      If Russia cannot be considered a signatory of treaties that the USSR signed and ratified, then it also follows that Russia cannot simply take over the USSR’s permanent UNSC seat.

      You gotta pick one, Putin.