​​​​​​​There was a lot of concern in the 1990s when the ISS announced that
the United States and Russia would jointly build a multinational space station because the ISS could not properly function without active diplomatic cooperation between the two rival countries.
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Rather, deep-rooted diplomatic conflicts, such as the
nuclear non-proliferation agreement, the oil treaty, and the space policy,
helped the two countries succeed in building the ISS through
debate and diplomacy. However, delays over unexpected accidents and issues
​​​​​​​severely impacted long-term diplomatic problems. Furthermore, financing continued to hamper the ISS.

The future of the ISS depends on a secure budget. Russia, which is struggling
to do so ahead of Soyuz's retirement, is joining hands with China.
Meanwhile, by opening the ISS to the private sector, the United States
can reduce operating costs for Moon and Mars exploration
and foster the private space industry. Recently, NASA decided
to dismantle the ISS in 2031. The future of debate and diplomacy
​​​​​​​ around the ISS will be exciting, though uncertain.