I'm John Batchler. I read from an account of the Golden Dome.

It could cost nearly $1.2 trillion to develop field and operate a new missile

defense shield like the one the Trump administration proposes to establish under its

Golden Dome Initiative.

According to a new estimate, deploying and sustaining a constellation of,800 space-based anti-missile

interceptors accounts for more than 60% of the projected price tag.

This puts a particular spotlight on the potential cost of what is arguably viewed as the

most critical and controversial aspect of the Golden Dome plan.

I stopped there because I welcome my colleague,

Henry Sikolsky, he's the executive director of the Non-Proliferation Policy Education Center,

and it was Henry who first led me to the possibility that the Golden Dome is not going to be built

in any fashion that we can now imagine. However, it is

greatly ambitious and Washington lives on the future. So, Henry, a very good evening to you.

1.2 trillion. I don't remember that number before, but if you have to ask how much it costs,

you can't afford it. Let's go to the idea.

Is this what you first believe the Golden Dome would be, 7,800 space-based anti-missile

interceptors protecting Hawaii, Alaska, and the continental United States? Is that what it was

pitched to be? Good evening to you. Good evening. Again, it's always

great being on your show. Thank you for having me. I think initially what it was pitched as

was something that could be any number of things, and it more or less was narrowed down to and renamed. First, it was

the Iron Dome, then it was the Golden Dome, then it was the Golden Dome for America. And the latter

was a downsizing of ambition such that the protection of allies protection of anyone

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