Cornell Law professor Michael C. Dorf critiques President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, positioning it as a modern sequel to Reagan’s failed “Star Wars” initiative, and evaluates its flaws in light of current technological and geopolitical realities. Professor Dorf argues that despite advancements since the 1980s, missile defense remains ineffective and dangerous, as it cannot reliably prevent nuclear catastrophe and may actually increase the risk of nuclear war by encouraging adversaries to consider first strikes.