USA informs allies
Russia is probably developing a new nuclear weapon for space
By Roland Peters, New York
February 15, 2024, 2:40 a.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
Security politicians warn that a “serious threat” is approaching the USA and its allies. Russia wants to put nuclear weapons into orbit, US media report. But why is this public?
The White House is angry, the US secret services are irritated and their informant is in danger. And that because the head of the Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives felt it was necessary to publicly demand the greatest possible transparency about a “serious threat to national security.” It’s about intelligence from the secret services about Russia’s nuclear weapons. This could pose an additional threat to Ukraine and other international allies.
The committee has informed Congress and allies in Europe, most likely Germany too. It’s about Moscow’s efforts to put nuclear weapons into orbit so that they can attack satellites. writes the New York Times. These weapons are therefore currently in development and have not yet been deployed, and therefore do not pose an acute threat to the United States, Ukraine or European partner countries. But probably in the future.
Also “Politico” reported about a danger from outer space. People familiar with the information said it was “very sensitive” information. According to the New York Times, the government says no further details can be released because otherwise “the source would be cut off.” It is conceivable that this is a spy or several of the US secret services in Russia. According to the report, White House employees are angry because they fear that they will no longer be able to get important information from Russia.
Political move?
The White House National Security Advisor is scheduled to meet with Congress’s “Gang of Eight” for Thursday to brief them personally. The Group of Eight are the respective party leaders of both chambers of Congress as well as their representatives from the intelligence committees there. Mike Turner, Republican and head of the committee in the House of Representatives, is also invited, but still called on US President Joe Biden to share all information.
Since this is not an immediate, time-critical threat, the US media is puzzling over Turner’s motives for demanding a complete release of the information publicly. According to his own statements, the Republican wants to facilitate a discussion among allies in order to “respond appropriately to the threat.” Turner is considered a supporter of new US aid to Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. He recently visited the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
It could also be a move to get allies to provide more help or to put pressure on your own party colleagues. His party colleagues in the House of Representatives are currently unwilling to approve new aid to Ukraine worth $60 billion. The Senate voted in favor of it earlier this week after much political wrangling. The package also includes support for Israel and Taiwan.
Pressure from Trump
The Republican representatives have a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and are facing pressure from their likely presidential candidate Donald Trump. The ex-president apparently wants to prevent the new aid for election campaign reasons. The House of Representatives will be completely re-elected in November. Anyone who opposes Trump runs a greater risk of losing their mandate.
Turner’s committee voted Monday to give the entire Congress access to intelligence information – a highly unusual step. If members of Congress want to take advantage of the offer, senators and representatives usually have to go to a secure reading room. In the case of new findings, they have until Friday to do this.