Donald Trump, known among many things for his border wall promise, is now saying he’ll build something akin to Israel’s Iron Dome in the United States.
A State-Of-The-Art Missile Defense Shield
Trump discussed the matter at a rally in New Hampshire. “We’ll build an Iron Dome over our country, a state-of-the-art missile defense shield, and it’s all made in the U.S.A. I think it’s time that we have one,” he said.
A New World War
The presidential hopeful also promised to prevent World War III: “I will prevent World War III. We’ve never been so close. You just have to check out the news. And we will build an Iron Dome over our country — a state-of-the-art missile defense shield.”
The Greatest Dome Ever
Trump also addressed the idea in Iowa, where he said the United States gives “billions of dollars to other countries so they can build a dome” before complaining that “we don’t have a dome ourselves.” He claimed his dome would be “the greatest dome ever.”
An Empty Promise
The promise, however, may be empty. The United States military has invested significant financial resources into missile defense system research. The outcomes have been modest, and they’ve found nothing indicating that Trump’s promise is currently viable in America.
Israel’s Iron Dome
The Iron Dome system in Israel is engineered to intercept projectiles within a range of up to 43 miles. Each battery is intended to defend an area of 60 square miles, which is slightly smaller than the size of Washington, D.C.
Israel Is Small
Israel is a small country, and its main missile threats come from nearby. If Trump were to introduce a similar Iron Dome, it would be virtually useless; the United States isn’t concerned about missiles coming from Mexico and Canada.
The U.S. Military
The United States military does have short-range missile defense systems, but they’re used for defending specific locations — like naval vessels.
A Good Idea on the Surface
While Trump’s promise might sound like a good idea on the surface, America isn’t threatened by short-range missiles; it’s threatened by intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
“Those missiles go over the North Pole and then into space before re-entering the atmosphere on the way to their target,” said John Erath, a former National Security Council official.
Thousands of Miles an Hour
Erath, also the senior policy director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, continued: “While Hamas rockets might be traveling several hundred miles an hour, intercontinental ballistic missiles re-enter from space at thousands of miles an hour.”
The Math Doesn’t Work Out
Erath went on to say that “the math just doesn’t work out” when it comes to protecting the U.S. from a “mass attack from a country on the scale of Russia or China.”
Interceptors Are Expensive
He also explained that the country defending itself is at a disadvantage because reliably hitting a missile usually requires at least three interceptors. Moreover, interceptors are more expensive than missiles because their guidance systems are more advanced.
Overwhelming the Defenses
“You need a lot of them, and they’re expensive, and the antidote to that is very simple. You just throw more things at us and overwhelm the defenses,” Erath explained.
Built in New Hampshire
Regardless, Trump seems confident in his plan. He even promised to build the American dome in New Hampshire: “We are going to have the greatest Iron Dome anywhere in the world and it’s going to be manufactured right here in New Hampshire.”
Trump vs. Mandela
This wasn’t the first time the former President discussed his American dome idea. He talked about it at a rally last year, where he also compared himself to anti-apartheid activist and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Trump and Prison
“I don’t mind being Nelson Mandela because I’m doing it for a reason,” he said in regard to his complex web of legal problems and the possibility of prison time.
Lunatics in America
”We’ve got to save our country from these fascists, these lunatics that we’re dealing with. They’re horrible people and they’re destroying our country,” the former President continued.
Mandela’s Legacy
In response to the bold comparison, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said: “Nelson Mandela was known for his efforts in reconciliation and his grace and lack of bitterness as leader of South Africa after being imprisoned for over 25 years. Donald Trump has no claim to his legacy.”
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