Invasion of airspace by foreign aircraft

The air space above countries is theoretically controlled by that country, but not in all instances or above certain heights.

In hopes of forging trust between superpower nations, US President Dwight Eisenhower promoted the notion of "open skies" for foreign aircraft in 1955. Cold War suspicions nullified Eisenhower's attempts until 1989, when US President George Bush attempted an open skies revival.

1. Over-flying by reconnaissance aircraft builds confidence by allowing each side in a dispute to check that the other is honouring its treaty obligations, especially in relation to military activity.

1. Misuse of aerial surveillance by governments
2. Conflicting claims to non-terrestrial territory

1. Military insecurity and vulnerability
2. Intergovernmental suspicion

1. Unidentified submarine objects
2. Misuse of satellite surveillance by governments

1. Settling border disputes