Why Russia Might Put a Nuclear Weapon in Space


March 21, 2024

Image of sunrise on earth from outer space.

In early 2024, remarks from the chair of the House Intelligence Committee Mark Turner brought the possibility of Russia's deploying a nuclear weapon in outer space to headlines across the country and around the world. In his article for Foreign Affairs, "Why Russia Might Put a Nuclear Weapon in Space: The New Threat Behind an Old Idea," Elliott School Assistant Professor Aaron Bateman offers an in-depth examination of the issue. Bateman offers analysis not only of the likelihood of such an event but also the history of anti-satellite weapons, which is critical to any understanding of nuclear proliferation as it relates to space.