Description
This paper examines weaponisation of the concept of ‘responsibility’ in political competition over space security. In the arena of outer space arms control, Russia and China have long sought a capabilities-based approach (premised on controlling weapons), rejecting a behavioural-based approach (premised on differentiating ‘responsible’ from ‘irresponsible’ actions) favoured by the U.S., its allies, and a growing list of cross-regional states. In this context, Russia and China have both argued vocally against the ‘responsible’/‘irresponsible’ binary as overly simplistic, subjective, and ripe for political abuse. Despite these objections, both Russia and China continue to deploy the concept themselves, specifically by labelling others’ actions or policies ‘irresponsible’, and subsequently shifting responsibility (in the sense of liability) for any related fallout or consequences. Russia’s deployment of the concept of ‘responsibility’ would lay the groundwork for military targeting of other states’ commercial space assets where these are deployed in an armed conflict. China’s usage of the concept supports its broader legal manoeuvring to use military space policies as a means of establishing hostile intent, and thereby differentiating between accident vs. attack in the event of an incident or altercation in space. This paper therefore profiles several ways the concept of ‘responsibility’ is deployed in an effort to shift the strategic operating environment in space security.
