The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: The Golden Dome Missile Defense Program
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Apr 11, 2025 Tom Karako, Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, dives into the Golden Dome Missile Defense Program initiated during the Trump administration. He discusses its goals to counter missile threats and the complexities of integration into existing defense strategies. Karako highlights the potential reactions from global powers like China and Russia, while addressing the challenges of cost and technological advancements. The conversation also touches on the need for strategic stability and the legal implications of missile defense in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
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Golden Dome Purpose
- The "Golden Dome" missile defense program responds to increased global missile threats, focusing on U.S. homeland protection.
- It aims to create a multi-layered defense system against diverse threats, including UAVs, cruise missiles, and hypersonic gliders.
Cost Estimation Challenges
- Estimating Golden Dome's cost is challenging due to the undefined architecture and threat scale.
- Preliminary estimates suggest a potential $10 billion annual increase, encompassing existing and new capabilities.
China's Missile Threat
- China poses a greater missile threat than Iran due to its larger arsenal and advanced capabilities.
- China could overwhelm U.S. defenses with a coordinated attack using various missile types.