Policy Watch: China and Iraq
Date
2007-01-26
Authors
Katz, Mark N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UPI.com (United Press International, Inc.)
Abstract
Right in the midst of the Bush administration's preparations to send even more American troops to Iraq came news that China successfully fired a missile to destroy one of its own satellites earlier this month. While Chinese officials insist this test was not targeted against any country and does not pose a threat, American officials are understandably concerned. American armed forces heavily depend on satellites. Satellites, however, are vulnerable to missile attack. China's anti-satellite test raises the ominous possibility that Beijing, despite its protestations to the contrary, is developing the capacity to damage or destroy America's military satellite infrastructure. Whether China would ever actually do so is not clear, but just the growing perception that it could might serve to make the United States more cautious and hesitant about responding forcefully to growing Chinese assertiveness.
Description
© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Deposited with permission from UPI.com.
Keywords
International affairs, Iraq War, 2003-2010, Missiles, China