Experts Warn Trump Missile Shield Could Spur 350 New Silos, Leave US Exposed
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 19
Experts Warn Trump Missile Shield Could Spur 350 New Silos, Leave US Exposed
3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 19
Summary
Brookings experts said Trump’s proposed Golden Dome may not shield the United States from a large-scale Chinese or Russian missile attack and could leave it no less vulnerable overall.
Steve Fetter said expanding US missile defenses is likely to trigger countermeasures, arguing China’s nuclear buildup — including an estimated 350 new missile silos — has been driven at least partly by existing defenses.
Michael O’Hanlon said missile-defense deployments often fuel arms races because targeted rivals tend to overestimate the threat while the defending side keeps expanding its own system.
The warning underscores a broader risk that a bigger shield could prompt larger Chinese and Russian arsenals without delivering reliable protection against major nuclear strikes.