School of War Ep 173: Tom Karako on America’s Iron Dome
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Jan 31, 2025 Tom Karako, Senior Fellow at CSIS and missile defense expert, shares insights on America's missile defense landscape. He discusses the implications of President Trump’s missile defense executive order and delves into the evolution of the Iron Dome concept. The conversation highlights the historical context of missile defense treaties and the challenges posed by modern threats like North Korea. Karako also examines the effectiveness of current systems, emphasizing their role in national security and the need for advancements in air defenses against complex attack scenarios.
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Early Missile Defense
- Early missile defense involved tipping over V-1 rockets, the "Shahid drones of WWII."
- Nuclear warheads compensated for lack of precision guidance in early missile defense systems.
ABM Treaty's Impact
- The ABM Treaty, based on "assured destruction," restricted missile defense development.
- The US withdrew from the treaty in 2002 due to proliferation concerns.
Deterrence Through Limited Defense
- Limited missile defense can contribute to deterrence by protecting key military assets.
- This makes enemy strikes less effective and raises the threshold for large-scale attacks.