China cited as adversary seeking to challenge American space advantage
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Monday, discussed how the U.S. military has used space capabilities to gain an advantage in current conflicts from Venezuela to Iran and how the Space Force is preparing for future threats. The conversation was conducted by Journal senior video and national security correspondent Shelby Holliday.
The interview comes amid what the Journal describes as a “pivotal year” for the Space Force. According to the Journal, the U.S. has used satellites and other space capabilities to gain an advantage in warfare from Venezuela to Iran.
“Space technologies can help detect missile launches, synchronize strikes, provide a clear view of the battlefield and degrade an enemy’s ability to operate,” the Journal reports.
In the interview, Saltzman addressed how the military must prepare for a future in which adversaries such as China seek to challenge America’s advantage in space. The conversation covered both current operations and future challenges, according to the Journal.
The interview was conducted by Shelby Holliday, a senior video and national security correspondent for the Journal based in New York. Holliday primarily writes and produces pieces on geopolitical showdowns, military conflicts, and defense issues, according to the Journal’s description of her role, and she was part of the Journal team that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.
The Wall Street Journal published the interview in video format, with the article directing readers to watch the conversation alongside the written summary.