Page 25 tbe potential t'o aggravate the dangers of the nuclear age appreciably. One obviousrisk is that in preparing for the potential loss of satelllEes, one or both nationsnight establish procedureg such that - in the event of certain conlingencies -greater freedom of action {ould be provided to field conmanders, thus reduclng Ehepositive controls on nilitary forcea that rxxr exist. 74. fhe developnent anal deploynent of anti-aatellite systemg has fhe potenlial to undermine i.nternational security seriously and Eo pronoEe further escalation of cbe nuclear arms race. It nouLd be particularly desEabilizirg if either side nere to acquire the ability to destroy or othersise incapaciEate lhe otherrs sateLlite early.*tarning systens and Eheir associaled ground stations. Inprovenents in the accuracy of missiles, advances in cmnand and control and targeting systens, the avid pursuit of anti-saCelLite and defensive systeng, the prollferation of reapons,all increase the inpression of a potential role for nuclear forces in conbat. 75. The inherent dangers of an arns race in outer space have caused increasing concern in lhe international connunity, particularly in the light of theanti-satellite systens b€lng develop€d anat ongoing efforts regarding space-basedanli-ballistic nissile systens, including laser-bean weapons and particle-bean technology, nou pursued. An arns race in outer space could increase Ehe tlanger of nuclear nar. It rould also add to tbe already vasE military expenditures andfurther drain the resources needed for econorDlc and aocial developnent. Furthernore, an arna race in outer space would have negative effects on the peaceful uses of outer space. 76. Under these conditions, the nuclear arns race has taken on new and more oninous inplications, Tecbnological advancea are creatlng pressurea to attenpt Eo break out from the situation of mutual vulnerability and serategic parity altogether.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the dangers of an arms race in outer space, highlighting the risks of an escalation of the nuclear arms race, the potential for greater freedom of action for field commanders, and the negative effects on international security, military expenditures, and peaceful uses of outer space. The text also mentions technological advancements and the pressure to break out from the situation of mutual vulnerability and strategic parity. These themes suggest that the category should be related to security, technology, and international relations.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations