Does Earth have a Planetary Shield?

[Praxis]

Fine, I'll handle it. Praxis, note that Dr. Bashir's suggestion was not merely NOT taken, it was considered highly offensive. The brain trust was basically shut down as a result. What is proven? There are at least five smart people in the Federation who would surrender under such circumstances, and the brass disagreed with them. Emphasis on the latter point.

Yes, but don't forget this was after the war had EVEN STARTED. If the Dominion had Earth surrounded, they would have taken it much more seriously

[SCVN 2812]

You still have failed to answer my refutation of your '900 billion casualties to force a federation surrender' number at the end of page 2

And the thought that the Federation might have different points at which it will be willing to surrender to different forces didn't cross your mind?

With the Klingons there is the possibility of a negotiated settlement, the Klingons are at least willing to talk, not exceptionally generous in their terms, particularly when they are winning, but willing to talk. Negotiations were under way during TOS before talks collapsed and war was declared at Organia and talks had resumed in the TMP era as of ST III ircc, BEFORE the Praxis disaster forced the Klingons to choose between maintaining military parity with the Federation for a short time (unlikely given the high centralization of Trek empires and the rendering of their homeworld uninhabitable within 50 years) or throw in the towel and save their homeworld and their empire in the long run.

The Dominion from the start made it clear that under no foreseeable circumstances would they accept anything short of total and complete surrender and subjugation to it. With the Klingons the Federation might be able to trade territory for time to rebuild the fleet and redistribute some resources tied up by the war to fortifying their systems against invasion.

No such devil's bargains were possible with the Dominion and even in slavery the Klingons have been demonstrably marginally better masters than the Founders. Note: emphasis on slavery, peoples that join the Dominion willingly enjoy autonomy within the confines of Dominion rule, its doubtful the Federation and Klingons' violent opposition to joining the Dominion would be forgiven and their sudden change of heart given much credibility.

[Luzifer's right hand]

The Dominion from the start made it clear that under no foreseeable circumstances would they accept anything short of total and complete surrender and subjugation to it.

The Dominion told them that they should stay on their side of the wormhole IIRC. The AQ powers did not accept these conditions though.

[Uraniun235]

You can see skylab if you strain your eyes! It would be no trouble at all for one to see a 10km Long Metal Dagger in orbit!

First, the ISS is just a bright spot in the sky, like a really bright star. It's not like you can make out details.

Second, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Skylab has been dead for a very long time - around a quarter of a century now. It deorbited a long time ago. Mir is also gone. The only space station aloft is the ISS.

[Fleet Admiral Blair]

Another TOS episode mentioned a shield concerning Memory Alpha. It was stated that the Federation planetoid was given no shield because it was deemed unnecessary. It was just a computer library of open information. This tells me that the Feds are at least familiar with planetary shields and almost certainly has a few. Though present capacity or even existence is unknown. If Earth had one currently it would have been mentioned in Best of Both Worlds and Paradise Lost.