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National Security

RAND conducts a broad array of national security research for the U.S. Department of Defense. RAND also carries out an extensive research program in homeland security, homeland defense, and terrorism-related research for the U.S. Government, as well as selected research for key allied governments and ministries of defense. Through its long-term investment in federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), the U.S. government has built a network of institutions with unique analytical and technical capabilities.

National security research is conducted by the following RAND FFRDCs: RAND Project AIR FORCE, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force; RAND Arroyo Center, sponsored by the U.S. Army; RAND National Defense Research Institute, sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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Calls of Duty: America Weighs Its Obligations to Veterans and Their Families — May 24, 2012

In his January State of the Union message, President Barack Obama proposed a Veterans Jobs Corps that would help communities hire veterans. Ten RAND authors highlight seven ways in which the United States can help to ensure that veterans and their families receive health care, employment and education opportunities, and other benefits.

New Counterinsurgency Assessment Methods Are Needed to Better Inform Policymakers — May 3, 2012

In counterinsurgency, or "COIN" operations, contextual assessment is proving to be a superior way to gauge success or failure. Ben Connable discusses his report Embracing the Fog of War, and how the Department of Defense can better use contributions from commanders on the ground to assess the results of COIN operations.

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Catalog Analyzes DoD-Sponsored Programs that Address Psychological Health — Nov 9, 2011

The U.S. Department of Defense sponsors many programs for servicemembers and their families. RAND compiled a searchable online catalog of 211 programs that address psychological health and traumatic brain injury.

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The 2008 Battle of Sadr City — 2011

Using primary sources and interviews with those involved in the fighting and its aftermath, the authors describe the 2008 Battle of Sadr City, analyze its outcome, and derive implications for the conduct of land operations. Their analysis identifies factors critical to the coalition victory over Jaish al-Mahdi and describes a new model for dealing with insurgent control of urban areas.

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Cover: Addressing Commanders' Needs for Information on

Addressing Commanders' Needs for Information on "Soft" Factors — 2011

Describes a framework for thinking about commanders' critical information needs in countersurgency operations and offers practical ways for commanders to integrate influence activities into combined arms planning and assessment.

Research Brief