April 14-20, 2005

mixpicks

Up In Arms

by Nick Norlen

policy lecture

In the '80s, Reagan's controversial proposal for a space-based weapons system took its name from the fantasy epic Star Wars. Now, 20 years later, the Gipper's gone and the big-screen space saga is nearing its final installment, but the real-life deliberation continues.

In "Space Weapons," a World Affairs Council debate, Baker Spring will advocate the development of new space weapons. Spring, a Heritage Foundation research fellow in national security, points out what he sees as the inherent flaw in the argument of his opponents: "Their erroneous conclusions come from their erroneous assumptions," namely the notion "that space is not already weaponized." He's referring to the already-in-use weapon systems that "entail targeting and bomb damage assessment."

But that's not what his debate opponent is worried about. Theresa Hitchens, vice president of the Center for Defense Information, says: "There is a need to defend our space assets, both military and commercial. No one disputes that. But that said, a defensive strategy in no way requires the use of anti-satellite weapons or weapons on orbit." She says that such a strategy will breed international proliferation. Spring believes the opposite is true, saying that the U.S. must "establish a capability that is so overwhelming that it dissuades other nations from participating." As the pair debate the issue tonight, it should become clear that they disagree on what threats exist. While Spring insists that lack of militarization "all but invites someone to attack," Hitchens flatly dismisses such projection: "No one is going to be able to pull off a Pearl Harbor in space."

"Space Weapons: A Debate," with Theresa Hitchens and Baker Spring, Thu., April 14, registration 5:30 p.m., program begins 6 p.m., wine and cheese reception 7:15-7:45 p.m. $25, free for students with ID, WHYY Civic Space, 150 N. Sixth St., 215-561-4700 for reservations.