this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2024
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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."

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 10 months ago (3 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Ooo I like your style!

[–] gravitas_deficiency 2 points 10 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.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 10 months ago

Any nukes in space would be horrendously bad

Hopefully the number up there remains zero

[–] [email protected] 13 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

So much for the "highly sensitive" source of this information. Republicans just let Putin know that we're onto him

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

They're putting it in space because that's the only place the crews can't steal components off the missiles to sell for vodka

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

After launch, sure.

But what about before launch?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

My boss is one of those "Ultra MAGA" people. He likes to make audacious, obviously bullshit claims that he heard from dubious sources. Anyway, today's whopper was that "Ukraine is the second most corrupt country in the world."

I asked him which was number one and he couldn't come up with an answer, but a very brief Google search brought up two sources total for the phrase "Ukraine second most corrupt."

The first was NorwayNews and the other was Freedom. Win. I mentioned that one of those sites was known propaganda and full of Nazis. He got all up in his feelings and has been big mad at me all morning.

My point is, Putin is collecting dividends on his purchase of the Republican party by way of the NRA. These useful idiots are destroying the country from within and people like my boss are aiding and abetting.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I saw this movie.

spoilerTommy Lee Jones ends up riding the nuke to the moon.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What movie? That sounds dope.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Ahh yeah. I like how Sutherland gets through the eye test and says something like "my sight may be shit, but my memory is great."

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

Donald Sutherland was probably the best part of that movie. After he couldn't be an astronaut he became a roller coaster tester. I've spent 24 years looking for career opportunities in the roller coaster testing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Wait, I thought Arecibo drops on Sean Bean? ^RIP^ ^Arecibo^

[–] Tremble 4 points 10 months ago

Is a satellite that is powered by nuclear energy that can shoot a laser at another satellite still a nuclear weapon?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Sounds like somebody wants to get defense money for contractor buddies while simultaneously putting pressure on Biden. Russia can hardly put people in space now. How are they going to pursue nukes?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Sooo…

Apparently congressman Turner came out today.

[–] cmat273 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of here putting nukes in space is dumb as fuck

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Which is exactly why Putin would do it. That, and to take out Starlink and DoD spy sats.

[–] cmat273 1 points 10 months ago

They don't need nukes to do that and it would potentially kill people in space because there is no atmosphere to stop the radiation from travelling. Also they can hit anywhere in the world already there is no need to put nukes in space. It's all fearmongering.