Why Russia Might Put a Nuclear Weapon in 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.