Watan-The “Golden Dome” defense project announced by U.S. President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism, with opponents arguing that it is unrealistic for protecting U.S. airspace and comes with an exorbitant cost. A report by CNN, published Saturday, cited multiple sources saying the Golden Dome initiative—intended to shield U.S. airspace—“lacks any strategic meaning.”
The sources described the project as an attempt to repackage vague and previously proposed plans from the Trump administration to create a missile defense system similar to Israel’s “Iron Dome.” The report noted the project emerges at a time when the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) is seeking budget cuts, while Trump’s administration faces criticism for introducing a new funding clause for the project in the 2026–2030 federal budget.
According to several sources, the Pentagon is developing a defense system against long-range missiles, while the White House has reportedly told military officials there is “no spending limit” for this initiative.
Several defense experts noted that comparing Israel’s Iron Dome with the proposed Golden Dome is inaccurate, pointing out that protecting a small country like Israel, which is roughly the size of New Jersey, from short-range threats is vastly different from protecting a large country like the United States.
Experts also highlighted that the space-based systems intended for the project would be vulnerable to enemy attacks, and their deployment could take between 7 to 10 years—only offering protection for major cities and key federal facilities.
It remains unclear how much funding the Pentagon will request for the Golden Dome project or how that funding will be secured under current conditions.
Golden Dome Missile Defense System
On January 28, Trump signed a presidential directive instructing the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive missile defense system based on space-based sensors to detect advanced hypersonic missiles, like those being developed by China, which can evade traditional ground radar systems.
In a later speech, Trump emphasized the need for a defense system similar to Israel’s, stating:
“I’m asking Congress to fund the Golden Dome project—a next-generation missile defense system, made entirely in the U.S., to protect our country.”
Meanwhile, former Congressman John Tierney dismissed Trump’s proposal as a “scam designed to waste taxpayer money on an unproven defense strategy.”
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