STAR WARS STAR : MASTER PRECIS

SPACE has become a congested, contested and competitive domain. Consequently, the increasing weaponisation of space threatens security at the global and regional levels.

The non-existence of a legally binding instrument prohibiting space weaponisation makes it challenging for the international community to maintain space as a global commons based on all states' free use and access.

The discourse on space security, particularly space weaponisation, is multifaceted, multidimensional, multilayered and complex.

This complexity in discourse is preventing the international community from reaching consensus on how to prevent an arms race in outer space.

The US and its allies advocate a '' responsible behavior '' approach to be adopted by major spacefaring nations.

This primarily means norms, practices, principles and guidelines independent of legally binding instruments suitable to prevent an arms race in space.

On the other hand, China and Russia stress the need for a legally binding instrument on the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space [ PAROS ].

These two approaches collide and a singularity has not been reached.

The World Students Society thanks Yasir Hussain.