Trump Signs Order for Billion-Dollar Golden Dome US Missile Shield

President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for the 'Golden Dome,' an advanced missile defense shield modeled after Israel's Iron Dome system but designed to protect the entire continental United States. This multi-billion-dollar project aims to defend against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats from adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, with all components to be manufactured in the U.S. Experts caution that replicating and scaling Israel's Iron Dome to cover the vast U.S. territory involves significant technological and logistical challenges. The Defense Intelligence Agency highlights the growing missile capabilities of China and Russia, emphasizing the need for a resilient, multilayered defense system. While some defense contractors have shown interest, the project faces substantial financial and technical hurdles, and it has drawn criticism from Russia and China as destabilizing despite its defensive nature. The initiative reflects a shift towards prioritizing homeland missile defense amid increasing threats from advanced weapons.