While the second Trump administration’s instincts on Golden Dome correctly diagnose a more dangerous nuclear environment facing the country, a sized-up, almost-exquisite comprehensive defensive system is the wrong prescription.
Issue Brief
May 21, 2026
Ankit Panda
Bottom lines up front
Erecting a comprehensive missile defense shield over the entire United States would make nuclear war more likely, not less. Protecting select zones is less de-stabilizing and more credible and cost effective. As Congress grapples with the political challenges of choosing what to defend, scientists should work on the technical challenges of strengthening point defenses.
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Powering the New Golden Dome for America
