In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the "hidden geography" of American global power: the network of concrete and steel ground installations that serve as the eyes and ears of the US military. While aircraft carriers often dominate the headlines, the true foundation of US dominance lies in sites like Pituffik Space Base in Greenland and RAF Menwith Hill in the UK, which act as critical up- and downlinks for the world's most sensitive satellite networks.

Dr. Bleddyn Bowen, an Associate Professor in Astropolitics in the School of Government and International Affairs and co-director of the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC) joins to discuss:

- The reality of the "pointer list empire" and why the US relies on an international "empire of dots" to maintain global reach.

- The logic—and contradictions—behind Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland and its link to the "Golden Dome" missile defence system.

- The "two-way street" of intelligence sharing between the US and its Five Eyes allies.

- What to really focus on to judge transatlantic military cooperation.

To learn more about Bleddyn's research, visit his website at: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/bleddyn-e-bowen/

To listen to Dr. Bowen's evidence in the House of Lords on the UK Engagment in Space, see https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/574c0630-e9b6-4cb8-8983-64263c26a3fe [Last accessed on 13th February 2026].

Music: The Good News by SHANTI from https://tunetank.com/track/263-the-good-news/