IHJ Roundtable
IHJ Policy Roundtable 2026
[Event Report] IHJ Policy Roundtable — “Space Power, Alliances, and Ground Infrastructure”
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The International House of Japan (IHJ) convened an IHJ Policy Roundtable on June 16, 2026, with Dr. Aaron Bateman, Assistant Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University.
The roundtable explored how the United States has worked with allies since the Cold War to secure access to overseas territories and ground infrastructure necessary for projecting power through space. Dr. Bateman emphasized that discussions of space competition often focus on activities in orbit while overlooking the terrestrial infrastructure that supports both military and civilian space operations.
Drawing on his recent research, Dr. Bateman examined how access to satellite communications facilities and overseas bases has long been a source of comparative U.S. advantage, and discussed the implications for contemporary U.S.-China competition. Participants also exchanged views on the geopolitical importance of space and information infrastructure, as well as the role of alliances in shaping strategic competition in the space domain.
The roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the relationship between space, ground infrastructure, security, and international order from a historical perspective.
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