Battle Lines Trump Edition: Inside the new Star Wars program
In today's episode, Roland Oliphant explores Donald Trump's bold new vision for a space-based missile defence system - a futuristic project dubbed the Golden Dome. Announced in the Oval Office with his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Mr Trump claims the system will protect the US from missile attacks launched from anywhere on Earth - or even from space.
Featuring cutting-edge technologies deployed across land, sea, and orbit, the Golden Dome is billed as the most advanced missile shield ever imagined. But is it real science or just science fiction? What would it cost - and would it actually work? To help us unpack the reality behind the rhetoric, Roland speaks to Julia Cournoyer from Chatham House's International Security Programme.
Plus, Venetia Rainey goes to Sweden's Gotland island to see the British and American armies conduct the first ever simultaneous live fire drill with HIMARS and MLRS. She asks, is Donald Trump's hostile attitude towards European security affecting military cooperation on the ground?
Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app.
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