The College of Law – University of Baghdad discussed a master’s thesis titled “Reconnaissance and Espionage in International Space Law” by the student Zaman Jabbar Atwan from the Department of International Law, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in the Model Court Hall of the College.
The examination committee was composed of:
1. Prof. Dr. Hadi Naeem Al-Maliki (Chairman)
2. Asst. Prof. Dr. Osama Najm Youssef (Member)
3. Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Salem Abd (Member)
4. Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Khalil Jaafar (Member and Supervisor)
The study aimed to shed light on the legal framework governing the use of outer space for purposes of reconnaissance and espionage, and to examine the legality of such activities conducted via satellites in accordance with the rules of international space law. It also explored the responsibility of states that engage in such practices, and highlighted legislative shortcomings and legal gaps affecting this vital domain.
The thesis consisted of three chapters:
• The first chapter addressed the conceptual framework of reconnaissance and espionage from outer space.
• The second chapter discussed the legal regulation of airspace and outer space and examined the legal classification of reconnaissance and espionage.
• The third chapter focused on international responsibility for reconnaissance and espionage activities and methods of combating them.
The thesis concluded with several recommendations, most notably:
1. The necessity of revisiting international space agreements and working toward issuing new protocols or treaties that clearly regulate space-based reconnaissance and espionage.
2. Enhancing international cooperation to establish an independent international monitoring mechanism to oversee reconnaissance activities in space and to set transparent standards for determining legality.
