NATIONAL SECURITY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY BEYOND EARTH RECONSTRUCTING THE LEGAL ARCHITECTURE OF SPACE INTELLIGENCE NETWORKS

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04      10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04      Published : Sep 2025
Authored by : Bakht Munir , Ali Nawaz Khan , Muhammad Arslan

04 Pages : 29-37

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04      10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04      Published : Sep 2025

National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a determining factor in the development of outer-space operations. The national security, intelligence and early warning systems are currently under the influence of autonomous satellites, constellations of sensors, and deep-learning algorithms. However, the existing legal framework, which is based on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, is insufficient to support the transparency and autonomy of AI. The article analyzes the challenges of sovereignty and accountability faced by states due to algorithmic decision-making. It reclaims the legal framework of space intelligence networks by proposing a stratified structure of sovereignty, along with physical, algorithmic, and institutional novelty, such as a Space Intelligence Authority. Based on comparative space law, AI governance theory, and normative fairness analysis, this paper proposes a design of a regulatory framework for space-based intelligence that not only pertains to the control of the territory but also addresses the algorithmic and AI-based decision-making in space.

    Artificial Intelligence, National Security, Space Law, Sovereignty, Accountability, Liability, Outer Space Treaty, AI Governance
    (1) Bakht Munir
    Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Kansas School of Law, USA.
    (2) Ali Nawaz Khan
    Assistant Professor, University Law College, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Muhammad Arslan
    LLM Scholar, Pennsylvania State University, USA.
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Cite this article

    APA : Munir, B., Khan, A. N., & Arslan, M. (2025). National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks. Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII(III), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04
    CHICAGO : Munir, Bakht, Ali Nawaz Khan, and Muhammad Arslan. 2025. "National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks." Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII (III): 29-37 doi: 10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04
    HARVARD : MUNIR, B., KHAN, A. N. & ARSLAN, M. 2025. National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks. Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII, 29-37.
    MHRA : Munir, Bakht, Ali Nawaz Khan, and Muhammad Arslan. 2025. "National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks." Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII: 29-37
    MLA : Munir, Bakht, Ali Nawaz Khan, and Muhammad Arslan. "National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks." Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII.III (2025): 29-37 Print.
    OXFORD : Munir, Bakht, Khan, Ali Nawaz, and Arslan, Muhammad (2025), "National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks", Global Foreign Policies Review, VIII (III), 29-37
    TURABIAN : Munir, Bakht, Ali Nawaz Khan, and Muhammad Arslan. "National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Sovereignty beyond Earth: Reconstructing the Legal Architecture of Space Intelligence Networks." Global Foreign Policies Review VIII, no. III (2025): 29-37. https://doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2025(VIII-III).04