Is It Possible to Ban Weapons in Space?

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Russia and China today renewed a proposal the Bush Administration has been opposed to, an international treaty banning weapons in outer space. Is their real concern the land-based missile-defense program devised by Donald Rumsfeld? Can a race to "weaponize" space be avoided or should the US just try to win? Also, the nations leading lenders unite to help the holders of sub-prime mortgages, and while they're voting in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, the candidates go on to Texas and Wisconsin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) delivers a speech next to the permanent representative of China to the United Nations in Geneva, Li Baodong, before the UN's conference on disarmament in Geneva. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Making News

Will New Help for Borrowers Make a Difference? ()

In December, it was "Project Hope" to provide help to holders of sub-prime mortgages who can't make increased payments. Today it's "Project Lifeline," a program by six of the nation's leading financial institutions to freeze all foreclosures for 30 days. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson acknowledged that while no program will solve all borrowers' struggles, the new plan "has the potential to offer new solutions to responsible, able homeowners who want to keep their homes." Mark Zandi is chief economist at Moody's Economy.com.

Guests:

Mark Zandi: Chief Economist, Moodys Economy.com

Main Topic

Is It Possible to Ban Weapons in Space? ()

Ronald Reagan's space-based missile-defense program died with the Cold War, but satellites are now key to America's military superiority, as our Army, Air Force and Navy -- even the Marine Corps -- rely on satellites for communication, surveillance and the targeting of "smart bombs." With space militarized, the big question now is whether it will be "weaponized." Today, at the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, Russia and China proposed a treaty banning weapons in outer space. Three years ago, the US stood alone against 160 nations in opposition to such a treaty. Do Russia and China mean it? Is their real target the land-based missile defense proposed by President Bush? Would a race to put weapons in space be counter-productive for all the countries involved or is it inevitable?

Guests:

Teresa Hitchens: Director, Center for Defense Information
Ashley Tellis: Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment
Pavel Podvig: Researcher, Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation
Anton La Guardia: Defense and Security Correspondent, Economist
Geoffrey Forden: former Weapons Inspector, United Nations

Reporter's Notebook

On Potomac Primary Day, Clinton Focuses on Later Contests ()

Rudy Giuliani figured he could lie low until the Florida primary, but John McCain's momentum put an end to Giuliani's campaign. If Barack Obama wins today -- as expected -- in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC, that will mean eight losses in a row for Hillary Clinton, with Obama leading next week in Hawaii and Wisconsin. Now Hillary Clinton is counting on Ohio and Texas, which don't vote until April. Susan Milligan, who covers presidential politics for the Boston Globe, says that's changed what both candidates are saying and could effect super-delegates.

Guests:

Susan Milligan: Reporter, Boston Globe

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