The THAAD Delusion
The story of a missile system placed in a role for which it was never intended illuminates the broader challenges facing the U.S. military.
Mohamed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates, was deeply concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He approached American officials in 2007, requesting a complete multilayered missile shield to protect the UAE against potential Iranian retaliation within a year. The U.S. officials were enthusiastic about the request, as it was part of a larger effort to curb Iran's nuclear program.
After years of unsuccessful attempts, the United States presented the UAE with a new technology: the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This system was designed to operate as part of a network of devices, intercepting incoming missiles in the upper atmosphere. While the THAAD was at the heart of this system, it was never intended to provide complete protection for an entire country.
The system was primarily created to protect U.S. troops in combat for a short period, allowing the U.S. to respond to the initial wave of missile attacks. In the ongoing conflict with Iran, the THAAD has proven effective in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles. However, the system has not destroyed many Iranian missile launchers, and the conflict continues.
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