RAND School Policy Intensive: Nuclear Security
The RAND School of Public Policy was pleased to offer a one-day certificate program focused on the Golden Dome missile defense policy and its implications for nuclear security.
This Nuclear Security Policy Intensive was offered in June 2025 at the RAND School Washington campus.
What Will You Learn?
This certificate-granting course for policy professionals and students will explore key issues related to contemporary nuclear security and missile defense policy. Specifically, we will focus on
- how significant investments to U.S. missile defense under the Golden Dome policy may change the contemporary nuclear security environment, and
- different options that expanded missile defense might take and the benefits and risks to different stakeholders domestically and internationally.
The course will include a practical exercise where the participants will divide into groups and collaborate on a simulated U.S. policy briefing on missile defense to interested parties such as adversaries, allies, and industry.
Test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Olga Houtsma/U.S. Space Force
Background
With President Trump’s Executive Order directing “a next-generation missile defense shield,” the Department of Defense and industry are pursuing new efforts to establish ballistic missile defense, including a range of possible space based systems. This policy could significantly change the nuclear security environment, including by reducing the vulnerability of the United States to strategic nuclear missiles, but it could also have a range of unanticipated effects. RAND has conducted extensive research on space-based missile defense from when the concept was first explored and continues to have unparalleled expertise on this important issue.
This unclassified, day-long seminar will provide an overview of the history, strategy, policy, and technical benefits, costs, and limitations of strategic ballistic missile defense. Students will participate in practical exercise of explaining a new U.S. initiative in this area to different audiences.
How to Attend
The event is free of charge. Attendees will be selected to include a mix of professionals and students.
In the linked application form, please explain your interest in nuclear security and missile defense and how attending may benefit your education, your organization, or your career goals.
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