Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense Shield Moving Fast

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – Trump next week will consider three options for his Golden Dome missile-defense project, as DOD might create a new office to build the ambitious, futuristic missile shield. The huge effort will likely require more coordination than today’s Missile Defense Agency can offer.

The effort will likely include near-term goals—such as improving the accuracy and effectiveness of ground-based missile interceptors—that can be completed before the 2026 midterm elections, enabling the White House to claim some quick success.

More ambitious efforts are likely to take at least five to seven years to arrive, like satellites that track, analyze, communicate about, and destroy incoming missiles.

Booz Allen unveils ‘Brilliant Swarms’ satellite designed to fulfill Trump’s “Golden Dome” vision for a comprehensive missile-defense shield for the US.

Trump’s Golden Dome is not ready to stop a Chinese attack on the US. The current situation with China mirrors the situation in Korea in October 1950. 

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship, “based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over.” 

“What the F*** is it?!” Navy pilot tracks unidentified object.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Rubio said that 300 student visas have been revoked, asserting “we have a right” to rescind the visas of students who participate in campus riots, intimidation and protests.

Drug trafficking as irregular warfare — and what can be done about it. Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against drug traffickers. 

POLITICS

House Democrats demand Hegseth resign as top Trump officials still deny classified information was revealed in Houthi attack chat.

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump team to preserve all Signal communications used for Houthi strike chat as a lawsuit proceeds.

GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be UN ambassador has been withdrawn, Trump confirmed, saying he’s asked her to remain in Congress due to GOP’s razor thin majority. 

Trump signed an executive order limiting numerous agency employees from unionizing and instructing the government to stop engaging in any collective bargaining.

Watchdog blasts VA leaders for exaggerating budget shortfall last year and criticized them for accounting mistakes and procedural errors showing a shortfall despite sufficient funding available. 

PENTAGON WOKE WATCH

A US judge in Washington state has blocked enforcement of Trump’s order banning ‘transgender’ people from serving in the military, the second nationwide injunction against the policy. 

US POWER OVERSEAS

The Army plans to conduct a live shot with its Typhon missile system in Australia this summer during the Talisman Sabre exercise, marking the first firing of the long-range weapon on foreign soil, a test certain to irk China.

Marine Corps eyes future fight in Indo-Pacific with Balikatan 2025 military exercise with Filipino forces in April, marking 40 years of joint drills between the two countries.

A series of airstrikes this week killed multiple Islamic militants in Somalia, US Africa Command.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed the US will respond forcefully if Venezuela attacks Guyana, amid an ongoing territorial dispute that includes massive oil and gas reserves. 

Army plans to send major elements of its most modernized air and missile defense capabilities to the Pacific and Europe.

CHINA THREAT

Hegseth’s decision to visit the Philippines, America’s oldest ally in Indo-Pacific, on his first official trip to the region sends a strong signal of commitment to deterrence against China in West Philippine Sea.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

Donald Trump said he believes Moscow wants to end its war with Ukraine, but suggested Russians could be “dragging their feet” after the Kremlin disputed accounts of agreements made with the US.

European leaders say now is not the time for lifting sanctions on Russia, after Moscow said it would only agree to a US-brokered deal on ending fighting in the Black Sea if some sanctions were eased. 

Vladimir Putin said Trump’s push for control over Greenland wasn’t surprising given longtime U.S. interest in the mineral-rich territory, and vows to uphold Russian interest in the Arctic. 

North Korea sent 3,000 more troops to Russia in January and February in continued support for Putin’s war on Ukraine, South Korea’s military said.

IRAN THREAT/ISRAEL WARS

Iran has responded, through Oman, to Trump letter in which he urged Tehran to reach a new nuclear deal.

‘Enough war’: Why Gazans are protesting Hamas now. Hundreds protest Israel’s war AND the Palestinian terror group – both blamed for bringing destruction to the enclave. 

New US airstrike campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis more intense than last, as the US moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at leaders and hitting targets in cities.

The Navy says it is working to reduce the growing costs of fighting Houthi drones launched from Yemen by placing two new experimental systems on destroyers that are slated to deploy later this summer. 

SPACE THREAT

Air Force is considering canceling upcoming competitions for its future Transport Layer satellites in favor of SpaceX to provide the capability to rapidly transmit large amounts of data around the globe. 

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

State of emergency declared in Myanmar after huge earthquake.

US Army to work with Israel’s Rafael company on ‘Americanization’ of Spike missile family. This should accelerate the development of advanced missile technologies, enhance the SPIKE system, and ensure its compatibility with US Army requirements.

Qatar to get a hefty US weapons package, including a handful of long-range maritime surveillance drones and hundreds of missiles and bombs worth $2 billion.

Turkish, Egyptian firms team up on unmanned ground vehicle project (UGV) in Egypt, in a sign of deepening ties between Ankara and Cairo. 

Canada eyes military helicopter investment worth almost $13 billion for acquisition of a new helicopter fleet to help fill existing rotary aircraft gaps in firepower and mobility. 

US MILITARY

The Air Force secretary nominee pledged to focus on its nuclear modernization efforts and continue work to get its troubled intercontinental ballistic missile program back on track. 

Ranger School’s new fitness test is tougher than ever, and now includes a sandbag lift, a buddy carry, crawls and other ‘functional fitness’ events — but no sit-ups.

END of PDB