Arctic & Space

Why is space becoming a military domain? Western nations are shifting from scientific exploration to defence, investing in satellites for communication, GPS, and missile warning systems. The U.S. Space Force now surpasses NASA in funding, with bipartisan support. NATO allies like Italy, the UK, and Sweden are expanding military space programs. This trend reflects a global push to secure strategic advantages, making space a key domain for defence and geopolitical competition.

Southeast Asia has a burgeoning space industry that is increasingly mentioned in space policy media. This brief will initiate a conversation on how Southeast Asia's space policy presents itself. It discusses the elements that have pushed space program development and how ASEAN member states have used FDI and remote sensing data sharing to generate collaboration and entrepreneurship. Despite future challenges, ASEAN is unique in its pacifist stance and public commitment to space.

In this brief, we ask what China's strategic ambitions are in the Arctic and by what means they are being pursued. We argue that China is pursuing an expansive foreign policy and is gaining influence in the Arctic, particularly through financial investment. We come to the conclusion that China is positioning itself as a long-term stakeholder in the Arctic and is challenging the existing balance of power in the Arctic with its multi-layered strategy.

• How is the commercialization of space affecting global space governance?

• The rise of private space actors has transformed space from a state-led domain to a commercial frontier, creating challenges in regulation, security, and sustainability.

• Effective transnational governance is thus imperative to manage space responsibly, balancing innovation with security and environmental protection.

1. How should the international community respond to emerging threats of nuclear weapons in space, particularly amid claims of Russian development? 2. Though unlikely to be used, nuclear weapons in space remain a concern due to legal loopholes and dual-use technologies. 3. Space-based nuclear threats, while improbable, require clearer rules to prevent misuse and miscalculation.

Climate change has a significant impact on economic and security issues in the Arctic; the aim of this brief is to shed light on this. Climate change opens up new sea routes, changes the accessibility of resources in the Arctic, but also threatens existing infrastructure. In addition, the increasing extraction of resources in the future poses a threat to the local ecosystem. The future of economic and security in the Arctic depends largely on the behavior of key players in the region.

1. Explores Greenland's vast mineral resources 2. Greenland is oil and mineral rich making it attractive to relevant states in the arctic region 3. Greenland is, and will continue, to be relevant because of the points made above.

The Arctic and Outer Space are key arenas for global competition over resources and strategic influence. Rivalries, especially involving China and Russia, are growing due to resource access and military potential in these areas. Governing these spaces is crucial to avoid conflict and ensure global stability.