On Point | Podcast President Trump’s proposed 'Golden Dome' vs. the laws of physics
Jun 6, 2025
Joe Cirincione, a renowned national security analyst and nuclear nonproliferation expert, discusses President Trump's ambitious 'Golden Dome' missile defense proposal. He highlights the technical infeasibility of a space-based system amid overwhelming physical challenges. Cirincione draws parallels to Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative while exploring historical attempts at missile defense. The conversation also delves into the implications of defense contracting, particularly concerning SpaceX and the potential risks of current missile defense strategies. It's a compelling mix of idealism versus realism in national security.
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Cirincione's SDI Oversight Experience
- Joseph Cirincione joined the House Armed Services Committee in 1985 to oversee SDI programs.
- His investigations led to a 1988 report concluding SDI was technically unfeasible.
Physics Limits Missile Defense
- Physics prevents effective space-based missile defense even with advancing technology.
- Thousands of interceptors would be needed to cover just a single potential missile launch.
Missile Defense Easily Fooled
- It's technically simple to fool missile defense with decoys in space.
- A trillion-dollar system could easily be overwhelmed by cheap countermeasures like balloons.