2012-05-25T23:08:00Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/international-affairs.html http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP337.html Jun 28, 2011 Jun 28, 2011

An analysis of 30 insurgencies worldwide between 1978 and 2008 determined what factors were ultimately correlated with success or defeat. Comparing Afghanistan in early 2011 against this scorecard results in an uncertain outcome for the conflict there, but the findings may help provide additional guidance as operations continue.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201200108.html Jun 1, 2012 Jun 1, 2012

This study suggests four timely US actions to address today's competing realities of globalization and economic austerity: raise awareness among clinicians and local health departments; capture and share exemplary disaster management practices across countries; ensure that US global health investments are effective, efficient, and sustainable; and think globally while acting locally to enhance US health security.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/25/AT.html May 25, 2012 May 25, 2012

The relocation of the Marines is a first step toward a more sustainable US military presence in the Asia-Pacific. Yet policymakers in Washington and Tokyo should not expect this move to eliminate an enduring source of tension in US-Japanese relations, write Stacie L. Pettyjohn and Alan J. Vick.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/24/RAND.html May 24, 2012 May 24, 2012

Three challenges still await NATO: containing fallout from France's new policy, re-opening the Pakistan supply lines, and the need for Russian cooperation, writes Christopher S. Chivvis.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP372.html May 23, 2012 May 23, 2012

The area between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia is a key hub of terrorist and related criminal activity in Southeast Asia. The Coast Watch System was designed to improve maritime domain awareness in the region but has some issues to overcome.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/22/FP.html May 22, 2012 May 22, 2012

Khamenei faces a critical choice in the months ahead: make a compromise to lessen tensions with the United States and the international community, or maintain a status quo that may set in motion the demise of his regime, writes Alireza Nader.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/17/CT.html May 17, 2012 May 17, 2012

The decision by Putin not to attend the NATO summit and the G-8 summit is a blow to the Obama administration's hopes of building closer ties to Russia and underscores that the effort to "reset" relations with Russia is likely to be slow and fraught with difficulties, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/17/IHT.html May 16, 2012 May 16, 2012

At a time when the European Union faces mounting economic and political challenges, maintaining a strong, vibrant Atlantic alliance is more important than ever, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter A. Wilson.

http://www.rand.org/multimedia/audio/2012/05/15/egyptian-elections.html May 15, 2012 May 15, 2012

RAND expert Jeffrey Martini speaks on the upcoming Egyptian presidential election and offers insights on the various presidential candidates, Egyptian and global reactions to the candidates, and the possible implications of an undefined constitution for the candidate that will be elected.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/15/RAND.html May 15, 2012 May 15, 2012

In considering foreign application to acquire U.S. companies, the United States needs to consider both risks as well as benefits in both defense and economic dimensions, write Charles Wolf, Jr., Brian Chow, Gregory Jones, and Scott Harold.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/corporate_pubs/CP22-2012-04.html May 11, 2012 May 11, 2012

Stories discuss Iran's nuclear threat, social security for Mexico's aging population, programs to help veterans and their families, the costs of crime and the value of police officers, psychological operations in Afghanistan, the U.S. health insurance mandate, legal representation in murder cases, marijuana legalization, U.S. competitiveness in educational achievement, and Louisiana's plan for a sustainable coast.

http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/2012/spring/tweets.html May 11, 2012 May 11, 2012

Twitter and other social media reportedly played a big role in the protests following the 2009 Iranian presidential election. Analysis of word usage in millions of tweets about the election and its aftermath reveals that spikes in the use of swear words could forecast the outbreak of large-scale protests.

http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/2012/spring/iran.html May 11, 2012 May 11, 2012

This <em>RAND Review</em> cover story recommends alternatives to military action that are more likely to dissuade Iran from producing, testing, and deploying nuclear weapons, while also promoting a more democratic and responsible Iranian regime.

http://www.rand.org.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1198.html May 9, 2012 May 9, 2012

Past efforts to resolve ethno-territorial conflicts in Br&#269;ko, Mostar, Northern Ireland, and Jerusalem provide insights that could facilitate a negotiated settlement regarding the disputed Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The case studies show that Arabs, Kurds, and Turkomen must emphasize governance over symbols of sovereignty, develop adaptable power-sharing mechanisms, marginalize spoilers, empower local leaders, and create multi-ethnic security forces.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/03/FP.html May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012

To prepare for the interventions to come in the next decade, the United States must adapt the lessons from its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and use them to generate a new, more realistic, and feasible doctrine, write Radha Iyengar and Douglas A. Ollivant.

http://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/conditional-cash-transfers.html May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012

Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) are seen as particularly effective in low- and middle-income countries, but relatively little is known about the interface between the supply of services and program administration and specific human development outcomes. RAND Europe is assessing the effectiveness of CCTs, through a two-year grant from UK Economic Social Research Council and Department for International Development.

http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/02/USNEWS.html May 2, 2012 May 2, 2012

On-the-job training is a necessary element of the American presidency, but so should be learning from the accomplishments, as well as the mistakes, of one's predecessor, writes James Dobbins.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP351.html May 2, 2012 May 2, 2012

The partnership between China and Iran presents challenges to U.S. interests, including dissuading Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. An analysis of the factors driving Chinese-Iranian cooperation offers policy options for influencing this partnership to meet U.S. objectives.

http://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/kenya-tanzania-industrial-productivity.html May 1, 2012 May 1, 2012

The performance of health systems is a key determinant of the inclusiveness of economic growth. With Kenya and Tanzania as case studies, RAND Europe is exploring whether potential synergies between industrial development and health systems can contribute to faster and more inclusive growth.