We Might Regret Golden Dome’s Greatest Ambition

The United States' pursuit of an ambitious "Golden Dome" missile shield risks provoking Russia and China to develop new, unstoppable weapons to sidestep American defenses. Russia has already showcased systems like the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, justifying them as necessary responses to growing U.S. defense capabilities. This action-reaction dynamic upends strategic stability, as even a partially successful Golden Dome would incentivize adversaries to double down on hypersonic, undersea, and space-based offensive weapons. While the U.S. invests trillions in defending against ballistic missiles, it may become more vulnerable to these alternative systems that a space-based shield cannot stop.