US Races China To Maintain Dominance In Space Warfare

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Space warfare in 2026. As Space Force enters 2026 amid escalating threats from China and Russia, service faces pivotal year as it transitions to full-spectrum warfighting.

According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 annual report, “China is aggressively positioning itself as a global leader in space technology and exploration, seeking to reshape international governance, influence standards, and displace the United States as the world’s premier space power.”

The report notes China’s operational satellite fleet exceeded 1,060 by mid-2025, with hundreds dedicated to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman has signaled U.S. resolve on this front. In March 2025, he made U.S. intentions clear to allies and adversaries alike, declaring, “The Space Force will do whatever it takes to achieve space superiority.”

The April 2025 release of “Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners” codifies the service’s shift from primarily supportive roles to treating space as a contested warfighting domain, openly emphasizing offensive and defensive counter-space operations alongside traditional support capabilities.

‘Resilient by nature’: Like assets in any other domain, U.S. satellites and equipment in space need updates and replenishment on constant basis. A look at how Space Force does it.

Constant evolution keeps U.S. ahead in space. Space isn’t above the battlefield — it is the battlefield. To stay ahead, Space Development Agency has one mode: constantly adapt.

At crux of modern military capabilities is crucial element — sending information to and from space. How can the U.S. stay ahead?

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of the top defense news of the last couple of days from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:

NATIONAL SECURITY

President Trump revealed that military is constructing “massive” underground complex beneath new White House ballroom.

New U.S. missile hit target in Iran. Here’s what we know about it. Barely out of prototype testing, Precision Strike Missile is shrouded in secrecy — including which Persian Gulf countries Army is launching them from.

DEFENSE POLITICS

In retort to SecWar Hegseth, Oregon Democrat senator placed hold on unanimous consent promotions for 3 military officers, citing behavior — including war zone misconduct allegations and podcast with supposed “extremist” language and viewpoints — that he says make the officers “unfit” for promotion.

Trump acknowledged that Tulsi Gabbard has “softer” stance than he does on Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, adding he still has confidence in his director of national intelligence.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

Evidence Points to U.S. Scattering Mines over Iranian Village.

U.S.-made Gator anti-tank mines reportedly discovered near Iranian missile site.

Limited missions. U.S. troops are deploying to Middle East by the thousands as Pentagon weighs possibility of limited maritime ground operations in Iran. What would those missions actually look like?

Thousands of paratroopers from Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in Middle East.

Al Jazeera’s full interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on U.S. war on Iran.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

Socialist government in Spain closes airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in Iran war, extending earlier restriction that applied only to two military bases on Spanish soil.

Gulf allies of U.S., led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are privately urging President Trump to continue war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn’t been weakened enough by monthlong U.S.-led bombing campaign.

Trump is interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for cost of Iran war, as talks with Tehran to end the conflict are said to be progressing well.

Iran’s foreign minister calls on Saudis to ‘eject’ U.S. forces from its country, three days after the Iranian military attacked a U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia.

CHINA THREAT

U.S. rebuilding WWII Pacific airfields amid China threat. Engineers are refurbishing 80-year-old airstrips on islands of Tinian and Peleliu.

China beware. Japanese destroyer JS Chokai now capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, making it first Japanese warship that can strike targets beyond 1,000 kilometers, 620 miles.

U.S. Senators Press Taiwan to Raise Military Spending as China Protests. Four visiting senators urged Taiwan to break impasse over $40 billion budget proposal, highlighting concerns in Washington about threat from China.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Putin is not trapped: Regime survival does not depend on victory. For four years, analysts have warned Vladimir Putin “cannot afford to lose” in Ukraine. Increasingly, some argue he cannot afford peace either. The war is existential for his regime. Ending it without obvious victory would shatter Putin’s legacy and potentially end his rule.

As Ukraine’s air defense expertise is being sought by Arab nations under fire from Iran, Kyiv is experimenting using private sector to provide its own air defenses by using Ukrainian interceptor drones and other short-range air defense weapons, under command and control of military.

Ukraine’s drone masters eye Iran war to kickstart export ambitions. Ukraine’s war has forced country to become trailblazer in drone interception. Conflict in Middle East could be its make-or-break moment to take the technology global.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Europe must reinvent warfare for ‘era of shocks.’ War in Ukraine is driving shift toward fast-changing, mass warfare that Western militaries are unprepared for, while Russia is adapting rapidly.

INTERNATIONAL

Trump says he has ‘no problem’ with Russian oil tanker bringing relief to Cuba despite blockade.

Airbus tested jet-powered interceptor armed with missiles to engage one-way attack drone, a cost-effective way of defending against such drones.

US MILITARY

Soldiers deployed to parts of Middle East and Africa supporting war with Iran now authorized to wear combat patches.

Navy revealed new “Drone Killer Cartridge,” or DKC, small-arms ammunition specifically designed to destroy small quadcopter drones.

Air Force broke ground in Utah on prototype for 450 launch silos to be built for next-generation Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile.

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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