Anton LaGuardia, The Economist's diplomatic editor, discusses the rise of space as a new battlefield, emphasizing the military's dependence on satellites and the risks of miscalculations. Joan Hoey, editorial director of the Democracy Index, analyzes global democratic trends, noting a slight uptick in democratic nations even amid rising authoritarianism. Anne Rowe pays tribute to Jack Jennings, a WWII veteran, sharing his inspiring story of resilience and hope through music amid adversity.
Space is increasingly becoming a military domain with the development of weapons to target satellites.
The decline in democracy is most prominent in hybrid and authoritarian regimes, with regions like Latin America and the Middle East experiencing the largest declines.
Deep dives
The Increasing Militarization of Space
Space is not just a peaceful domain, but also a military one. Satellites play a crucial role in modern warfare, providing time signals, precision information, and persistent eyes in the sky. The Chief of Space Operations, General Charles Saltzman, highlights the significance of space capabilities and the growing integration of space into the joint team. Space warfare is still in its early stages with satellites being defenseless and easy to spot. Various weapons like direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, lasers, microwaves, and rendezvous and proximity operations have been developed to target satellites.
The Danger of Conflict in Space
A war in space would have significant consequences, even though it may not resemble sci-fi movies. Unclassified war games suggest scenarios like the detonation of nuclear weapons in space to destroy satellites, terrorists using commercial technology to attack using drones, and conflict between big powers close to the moon. A major concern is the potential for near-term miscalculations and the escalation of conflicts. Attacks on early warning satellites could be seen as preparations for nuclear attack, leading to unintended escalations.
The State of Democracy Worldwide
The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index provides insights into the state of democracy in 165 independent states and territories. In 2023, the number of countries classified as democracies increased to 74, but the global average index score fell. The decline in democracy was most prominent in hybrid and authoritarian regimes. Regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the largest declines. The report also highlights issues of political polarization, declining trust in mainstream political parties, and the need to regulate the commercial sector to safeguard democracy.
This is not science fiction. Space is already a part of modern warfare and as technology advances, it will be an even more crucial sphere. What will extraterrestrial conflict look like? A look at the latest Democracy Index as conflict continues to dent freedoms across the globe (11:47). And, a tribute to Jack Jennings (23:35)
If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode