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Cover: Democratization in the Arab World

Democratization in the Arab World: Prospects and Lessons from Around the Globe — 2012

Laurel E. Miller, Jeffrey Martini, Stephen F. Larrabee, Angel Rabasa, Stephanie Pezard, Julie E. Taylor, Angel Rabasa

Daunting challenges lie ahead for Arab countries where revolutions have upended longstanding authoritarian regimes. Working from an analysis of how countries across the globe have dealt with similar challenges in the past, Democratization in the Arab World explores the conditions and decisions that are most likely to influence whether democratization succeeds in Arab countries undergoing political transitions. The monograph aims to help policymakers understand the challenges ahead, form well-founded expectations, shape diplomatic approaches, and take practical steps to foster positive change.

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Blog Posts and Media Coverage

Pentagon Announces Plans to Integrate Women in Combat — Jun 18, 2013

Senior Pentagon officials announced today that by 2016, women will be allowed to join front-line combat roles, including infantry, armor, and special operations. RAND has conducted research on the evolving roles of women in the military and has several experts available to discuss the DoD's policies.

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Rouhani's Win in Iran Could be Reason for Optimism — Jun 17, 2013

Iran's unelected institutions—the deep state—remain more powerful than any other force. At the same time, Rouhani's election may mean that Khamenei realizes the extent of Iran's crisis and is willing to let Rouhani pave a way forward.

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How to Keep Our Embassies Safe — Jun 12, 2013

Marines stand vigilant at U.S. embassy in Haiti

The best way to safeguard U.S. diplomatic missions abroad is to think hard up front about the purpose of the mission and to constantly reassess it in light of changing conditions, writes William Young.

Agreeing to Disagree About Africa — Jun 5, 2013

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The Obama-Xi dialogue offers an opportunity to clarify both countries' interests in Africa and remove a potential irritant to U.S.-Chinese bilateral relations, write Larry Hanauer and Lyle Morris.

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N. Korea Could Fall Faster Than We Think — Jun 2, 2013

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The United States, South Korea and their allies would be well advised to factor in the possibility that North Korea could collapse in a fit of revolt and economic decay at any time, just as East Germany did, writes Bruce Bennett.

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The War on Terror Must End — but Not Yet — May 31, 2013

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While unending war is clearly bad for a republic and dangerous to U.S. security, the trickier task is defining the conditions that, when met, tell us that the war against al Qaeda is over, writes Paul Miller.