The explanation for why Tor is different makes no sense. Instead of using a highly audited, 20 year proven, research backed protocol, let's invent something else? NIH syndrome
I think it’s more that the author of the article doesn’t know what they are talking about?
The linked paper itself seems to make no such claim and actually references it for its similarity!
Tor nodes are run by the NSA. Also, there is nothing prohibiting someone from using both Tor and Dandelion.