I think that all subsequent tokomaks (and similar developments) have discovered new problems (and new solutions) since then, particularly about just how difficult it actually is to try and control large volumes of plasma, which is why things like laser containment have been tried in the first place.
And, while it's clear we're still a long way from any kind of commercial power plant, we do now understand a lot more about the whole area: fewer unknown unknowns, if you like.
ITER is aiming to be ready by the end of 2025, and while the timeframe might slip, the things we learn when things don't (quite) work as expected, do bring us forward.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
