Featured Research
Defeating Hybrid Adversaries: Lessons from Israel in Lebanon and Gaza— Feb. 6, 2012
When Israel fought Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War in 2006, it discovered that it was ill prepared for the challenges posed by a "hybrid" adversary—irregular forces that possess sophisticated weapons and a modicum of training. According to a new PAF report, Israel's recent wars provide invaluable lessons for the U.S. military, which may be similarly unprepared for hybrid warfare after years of training for and conducting low-intensity operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Russian Nuclear Weapon Policy and Its Impact on U.S. Military Operations in Europe — Nov. 7, 2011
Through a variety of policies and actions—most recently in new military doctrine adopted in 2010—Russia has indicated the types of situations that might cause it to resort to using nuclear weapons in Europe. A new PAF report analyzes Russia's emerging nuclear deterrence framework and assesses its implications for U.S. military operations in Europe, particularly for the U.S. Air Force.
Global Demographic Change and Its Implications for Military Power — Sept. 1, 2011
Demographic change can profoundly transform societies, influencing social, economic, and political issues of significance to military and foreign policy planners. A PAF analysis addresses these issues by projecting working-age populations through 2050; assessing the influence of demographics on manpower, national income and expenditures, and human capital; and examining how changes in these factors may affect the ability of states to carry out military missions.
Understanding the Difficulties of Air Force Families: — April 28, 2011
Aware of the stresses of military life, the Air Force has created a number of programs to assist families—but are these programs doing enough? The Air Force asked PAF to survey the spouses of active-duty airmen (enlisted and officers) in 2009. Their main concerns related to children, spouse employment, and the effects of moves and deployments. By and large, however, the spouses were satisfied with Air Force life.
Restructuring the Combat Air Forces (CAF) — Nov. 5, 2010
PAF conducted a congressionally-mandated, independent review of USAF plans to retire 257 fourth-generation aircraft, freeing money and manpower to meet critical needs. The study analyzed the demands for CAF in a variety of operational scenarios. Results show that retiring the 257 fighters is relatively low risk, but more fifth-generation fighters and enhanced long-range strike capabilities are needed to counter challenging adversaries.
Framework for a Space Deterrence Strategy — May 28, 2010
With a growing number of states acquiring the ability to degrade or destroy U.S. space capabilities, the probability that space systems will come under attack in a future crisis is ever increasing. Deterring adversaries from attacking some U.S. space systems may be difficult due to these systems’ inherent vulnerability and the disproportionate degree to which the United States depends on the services they provide. A new PAF report, Deterrence and First-Strike Stability in Space: A Preliminary Assessment, provides the broad outlines of a comprehensive space deterrence regime and identifies areas of future research needed to determine the optimal mix of policies, strategies, and systems for an effective and affordable deterrence regime.
New Direction for NATO Must Make Alliance Relevant in Current Security Environment — Dec. 21, 2009
NATO is rethinking its future direction for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a process that could redirect the Cold War alliance toward contemporary security issues like cyberthreats and piracy, and strengthen its commitment to fragile states like Afghanistan, according to a new RAND Corporation study, Recasting NATO's Strategic Concept: Possible Directions for the United States.
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