Spacepower and Malicious Non-State Actors
Abstract
A recent, and underappreciated, development is occurring in the space domain with the ability of Malicious Non-State Actors (MNSA) to harness space-based capabilities to conduct operations. MNSA uses technologies such as Satellite Communication (SATCOM) and the Global Position System (GPS) to increase their operational reach by using the space domain to link small operations across multiple domains. The use of space for warfighting has been the traditional realm of powerful nation-states such as the United States. This monograph investigates how current US spacepower concepts and doctrine is insufficient to respond to MNSA using space-enabled capabilities. The advent of MNSA use of space requires a shift in American operational and doctrinal thinking of what or who constitutes a spacepower. MNSA such as Lebanese Hezbollah, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have demonstrated an ability to adopt space capabilities to conduct operations to achieve their organizational goals. The examples of Hezbollah, LeT, and ISIS, when compared to current US spacepower concepts and doctrine, shows a gap in the current spacepower theory paradigm. This gap in thinking suggests that a change is needed in current US doctrine and concepts to better prepare for the emergence of new hostile space powers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1173590
Entities
People
- Paul R. Kellmurray
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College