A new military competition is born in space. All the great powers, and especially China, know that in this field lie the force and the weakness of the United States: hence Beijing's attempt—symbolized by the test in January 2007—to develop anti-satellite weapons. In such a context, the US must try to keep advantage and refuse disarmament agreements, which would harm only them: this is the price of its national security.

James A. Lewis, is Head of the Technology and Public Policy Program au Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

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