New Security Challenges: Policy Issues and Analytic Approaches

Pardee RAND Graduate School - Washington Defense Security Course

The Program

Since 2001, the Department of Defense has been operating with a significantly larger budget to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, in August 2010, the last combat brigade withdrew from Iraq. As supplemental funding dissipates and base budgets decline as a result of changing operational needs and the current economic climate, a number of challenging decisions will need to be made. This course will explore the strategic and tactical implications of significant reductions to the defense budget.

Since its inception in 2000, “New Security Challenges,” an intensive weeklong program offered by the Pardee RAND Graduate School, has equipped participants with an understanding of both the most critical current policy challenges and the most up-to-date analytical techniques for addressing them. The program aims to give participants both knowledge and tools that they can employ upon their return to their organizations.

Through the program, participants will

• be exposed to the latest analytic approaches to key defense challenges
• gain a better understanding of select security topics of importance to the United States and other nations
• hear different perspectives of the future budget challenges from various sectors of the defense industry
• develop a better understanding of many of the most pressing issues that confront security planners in the United States and other nations, and
• participate in a hands-on exercise in strategic planning, examining the demands on U.S. military capabilities in a new strategic landscape.

Pardee RAND Graduate School

The The Pardee RAND Graduate School, established in 1970, has evolved into a model for graduate programs in policy analysis. Students and faculty examine a wide range of issues, including national security studies. Graduates typically go on to careers in government or private industry, applying their research and strategic planning skills to such areas as defense, health, and education. Through courses and workshops, the school and its parent organization, the RAND Corporation, are at the forefront of defense-related policy analysis. The Pardee RAND Graduate School is a founding member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

For more information, contact

Jennifer Miller
RAND Corporation
1200 South Hayes Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 703/413-1100 x5409
Fax: 703/413-8111
Email: jmiller@rand.org

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.

What earlier participants had to say about the seminar:

“Excellent course. I look forward to attending future courses at RAND.”

“The exercises were engaging and provided substantive discussions of a high caliber.”

“Instructors were experts on their topics and it was wonderful learning directly from them.”

“Presentations were challenging and stimulated debate and discussion.”

“Well–balanced mix of personnel and perspectives in the class.”

“Overall, a wonderful impression. The course was well worth the time.”