The NATO alliance served its participants well in countering the strategic threat once posed by the Soviet Union, but the rise of other regional powers and coalitions since end of the Cold War has prompted a reevaluation of existing alliances. RAND research has provided policymakers with essential information on how best to forge new defense cooperation agreements and strengthen old alliances to counter emerging security threats.
Report
Some important U.S. goals include maintaining international cooperation with partner countries, devising programs to satisfy U.S. strategic imperatives for a region, and enhancing the security of partner countries.
Report
Lays out a framework for assessing Department of Defense security cooperation activities, based on themes from a 2008 RAND workshop.
Report
The authors assess Russia's strategic interests, examining its domestic policies, economic development, security goals, and worldview. They assess implications for U.S. interests and discuss approaches for Washington to improve relations with Moscow.
Commentary
The election of Barack Obama provides an important opportunity to revitalize the trans-Atlantic security partnership. This partnership has served both sides well in the past. But after eight years of deep ideological differences during the Bush administration, it is badly frayed and in need of new leadership and new vision, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Julian Lindley-French.
News Release
While al Qaeda is the primary terrorist/extremist threat in East Africa, the region suffers more broadly from a danger of radical Islamist groups and organizations that the United States and its allies must address to reshape the region's security environment.
Commentary
On its 10th anniversary, the European Union can look back on its Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) with some sense of accomplishment. But the next 10 years may prove more difficult, writes Christopher S. Chivvis.
Commentary
Given American concerns about nuclear proliferation and the possibility of nuclear terrorism, tying U.S.-Russian cooperation in the nuclear domain with the current Russia-Georgia quarrel may amount to shooting ourselves in the foot in a misguided attempt to punish Russia, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
News Release
In preparing for possible future military interventions, the United States needs to shift substantial resources to the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, and military-civilian efforts must be integrated from top to bottom.
Report
"Integrated operations" require the U.S. military to work with other government agencies, organizations, and foreign militaries. Current headquarter-staff training needs to be revamped to focus on high-priority tasks.
Report
Frames potential long-term U.S. security relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan in a regional context and posits roles of U.S. forces, especially the Air Force, in supporting these relationships under a variety of contingencies.
Report
Turkey has long been an important ally, but Ankara is increasingly behaving more independently and assertively in ways that must factor into future U.S. planning for the region.
News Release
Unofficial diplomatic discussions can play a significant role in shaping attitudes in the Middle East and Asia, but are best used as a long-term strategy without expectations for dramatic policy shifts.
Report
In the context of multinational force compatibility, this report defines the Niche Capability Planning Framework, which is intended to guide and focus the U.S. Army's long-term compatibility investments with partner armies of varying capabilities.
Report
Draws upon information derived primarily from interviews with and interrogations of senior Iraqi military and civilian officials to examine why the Iraqi resistance in Operation Iraqi Freedom in March and April 2003 was so weak.
Research Brief
Research brief summarizes an analysis of information derived from interviews with former senior Iraqi officials to determine factors contributing to the rapid collapse of Iraqi resistance to the Coalition invasion of Iraq in March and April 2003.
Report
The promotion of democracy and freedom abroad will continue to require changes in how U.S. armed forces are organized and employed and how the services relate to one another and to U.S. allies.
Report
This report presents a framework for assessing the value of the Army's non-combat interactions with other militaries within the context of the U.S. government's current strategy for security cooperation.
Commentary
Published commentary by RAND staff: Let's Avoid Another Trans-Atlantic Feud, in International Herald Tribune.
Report
Examines long-term U.S. military interests in Central Asia.
Commentary
Published commentary by RAND staff: NATO Peacekeepers Need a Partner in the International Herald Tribune.
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