U.S. military personnel value deployments as an opportunity to use their training in real world missions, take on new responsibilities and participate in meaningful operations. However, stress from long work hours and demanding work schedules significantly reduces service members' intentions to re-enlist.
State and local law enforcement agencies may be uniquely positioned to augment federal intelligence capabilities in the war on terrorism, but they would benefit from increased funding, training, and oversight.
France's stringent policies on assimilation have led to predictable failures with the new wave of Muslim immigrants from North Africa, as witnessed in the recent riots. A comparison with U.S. immigration history and policies suggest avenues for improvement.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides grants to help cities prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. An event-based approach to estimating terror risk could help better allocate funds and more effectively reduce risk.
The creation of the Director of National Intelligence position reshaped how U.S. intelligence is organized. The next steps are transforming how it does business by improving analysis; shaping intelligence by mission or issue rather than collection source or agency; and more.
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) on closed military bases has become a costly environmental problem. To facilitate the cleanup process, baseline standards for clearing UXO need to be established and cost estimation tools improved.
U.S. nation-building missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have been largely unsuccessful in establishing law and order. More troops, aid, and a peace treaty or formal surrender might have prevented a prolonged insurgency.
A RAND-sponsored conference presented research on counterterrorism issues. Participants discussed understanding the nature of the terrorist threat, taking direct action against and reducing support for terrorists, and protecting the homeland.
A landmark rail, highway and infrastructure link between the West Bank and Gaza would open the door to dramatic new development, giving Palestinians new access to jobs, food, water, education, health care, housing and public services.
An examination of options and cost estimates for strengthening the housing and transportation infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state in the context of a large and rapidly growing Palestinian population.
Companies use RFID workplace access cards to do more than just open doors, but explicit, written policies regarding card use are rare. Although these cards have public safety benefits, they also raise privacy concerns.
The United Nations provides the most suitable institutional framework for all but the largest and most demanding of nation-building missions, according to RAND-initiated case studies of eight international crises.
Equipping America's commercial airliners with systems to guard against attacks from shoulder-fired missiles is currently not cost-effective, but RAND-initiated research suggests the investment could be justified later if anti-missile systems are made more economical and reliable.
Cuba’s Fidel Castro—in his late seventies—is nearing the end of his political career. This report outlines the political, social, and economic challenges facing the successor government and the Cuban people.
RAND® is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1994-2012 RAND Corporation. Last Modified: September 15, 2010 Site Feedback »