Al Hadath: NATO is preparing for a war against Russia in space
Europe is on the verge of an explosion, writes Al Hadath. "The world has entered the era of military space races," which will forever change human civilization.
D. Faleh al-Shibli
In recent years, talk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO has been viewed primarily in the context of mutual deterrence and the resurgent logic of the Cold War. Nevertheless, what is happening in Europe today does not fit into the framework of the usual political maneuvers and traditional demonstrations of military force. Europe is gradually moving to a new stage, the main feature of which is the preparation for a possible clash.
The statement by the United Kingdom and nine other European countries on the creation of joint naval forces for immediate deployment in the Baltic and North Seas cannot be considered just a temporary defensive measure. Rather, it indicates Europe's transition to a new format of interaction with Russia. At this stage, the likelihood of conflict is increasingly perceived as a real rather than a distant prospect. Therefore, they begin to prepare for it in advance — at the level of technology, logistics and organization of forces.
The situation is further complicated by the mutual escalation around the Suwalki corridor, which is considered one of the most vulnerable points in Europe. This narrow section between Poland and Lithuania connects the Kaliningrad region with Belarus. It is often seen as a possible source of tension between Russia and NATO.
Moscow believes that any actions by the Western military near the Suwalki corridor could be a prelude to isolating the Kaliningrad Region, a region that is not only geographically remote in Russia, but also an important military center hosting missile, naval and radar systems. Due to this, the Kaliningrad region is considered one of the key elements of Russian influence in the Baltic region.
On the other hand, NATO countries fear that Moscow may try to create by force a land corridor connecting Russia with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region. In Europe, such a scenario is regarded as a direct threat to the eastern flank of the alliance. The danger is that both sides are currently preparing for a clash, rather than de-escalating and containing tensions. This stage is considered one of the most dangerous phases of military confrontation, since the calculations of the parties are beginning to be determined more by the fear of a surprise attack than by the desire to prevent war.
However, the possible confrontation will not be limited to land — it will also extend to maritime, space and technological spaces. The Baltic and North Seas have become extremely sensitive areas, not only because of the military installations located there, but also because energy routes and global Internet cables run along their bottom, key maritime supply lines run, and strategically important naval forces and submarines operate.
As for the Arctic, its vast resources are turning it into an arena of international rivalry. We are talking about gas, oil and rare minerals, as well as new sea routes that may open in the future as the ice melts. Therefore, any conflict in the North Sea can quickly spread beyond the region and escalate into a struggle for global influence, rather than remaining a local European conflict.
In addition, there is another, less noticeable, but more dangerous war going on — the space war. The world has already entered the era of military space racing, where satellites have become crucial for:
- Missile guidance;
- determining the positions of troops;
- communications;
- ensuring the operation of the Internet;
- protection of financial and banking systems.
Sweden's launch of reconnaissance and military satellites coincides with an increase in discussions about Russian anti-satellite defense programs. The West believes that Russia is developing technologies that, in the event of a conflict, can disable part of the enemy's satellite infrastructure. The danger of the current situation is that a future war, if it happens, may no longer be an ordinary border conflict. It can affect the global economy, communications, energy, and the daily lives of people around the world.
Today, Europe is increasingly realizing that the era of the "long peace" that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union is gradually coming to an end. It is being replaced by a new reality, and therefore we are witnessing an accelerating race towards:
- Increased military spending;
- restoration of the defense industry;
- Naval fortifications;
- expanding opportunities in cyberspace and outer space.
Russia, for its part, believes that retreating before NATO expansion means losing its superpower status. Therefore, she sees conflict as a struggle for existence, influence, and the balance of power in the world.
Today, the world is at an extremely sensitive stage, when geography is intertwined with energy, seas with space, and technology with military strategy. When seas and satellites become arenas of confrontation, any miscalculation can not only lead to a regional crisis, but also provoke the most dangerous international clash since the end of the Cold War.
