National Security

RAND conducts a broad array of national security research for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied ministries of defense. RAND's three U.S. federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) explore topics from acquisition and technology to personnel and readiness.

Research conducted by: RAND Arroyo Center; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Project AIR FORCE; RAND Europe; Homeland Security and Defense Center; Military Health Policy Research; Invisible Wounds of War Project; Center for Global Risk and Security

News Releases (136)

Statement Regarding Media Coverage of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — Sep 25, 2008

Andrew Hoehn, Director of RAND Project Air Force, made a statement today regarding articles that have appeared in the Australian press with assertions regarding a war game in which analysts from RAND were involved.

Political Reform in the Arab World is a Mixed Bag in Confronting Terrorism — Sep 24, 2008

Democratic political reforms can marginalize extremists and undermine support for political violence, but cosmetic reforms and backtracking on democratization can exacerbate the risk of terrorism.

Army Can Boost Mission Success by Better Managing Environmental Considerations — Sep 23, 2008

By better managing environmental issues during deployments, U.S. Army units can gain tactical and strategic advantages that will help in combat and post-conflict operations, and boost overall mission success.

Book by Brian Michael Jenkins Explores Nuclear Terrorism; Allows Readers to Confront Crisis as a President Might — Sep 10, 2008

In a new book, "Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?," leading terrorism expert Brian Michael Jenkins explores both the risks and history of nuclear terrorism, and warns that terrorists may not even need to acquire such weapons to order to perpetrate "nuclear terror."

Smooth Presidential Transition Is Crucial To Early Foreign Policy and National Security Success — Sep 8, 2008

The foreign policy success of incoming presidents, particularly in the early years of a presidency, is largely determined by how well the new administration learns from the successes and failures of the outgoing president.

Book by RAND's James Dobbins Gives an Insider's Account of What Happened in Afghanistan 'After the Taliban' — Aug 21, 2008

Former Ambassador James F. Dobbins has written the first “insider's account” of the Bush administration's post-9/11 diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan after the Taliban had been toppled.

U.S. Should Rethink "War On Terrorism" Strategy to Deal with Resurgent Al Qaida — Jul 29, 2008

Current U.S. strategy against the terrorist group al Qaida has not been successful in significantly undermining the group's capabilities.

U.S. Policy Should Utilize Vulnerabilities in Iran's Political, Economic Conditions — Jul 10, 2008

The United States should pursue a mixed strategy toward Iran, using a variety of means to promote favorable social developments within the country and at the same time exploiting vulnerabilities in the nation's political, economic and demographic conditions.

European Union Has Developed a Nascent, but Growing Capacity to Deploy and Employ Armed Force — Jul 8, 2008

Over the past few years, the European Union has demonstrated the capacity to deploy and employ armed force outside its borders in support of broader common policy objectives, creating a new player in nation-building operations.

Shortcomings in Planning for Post-Combat Period in Iraq Outlined — Jun 30, 2008

Efforts to adequately plan for the post-combat period in Iraq were thwarted by overly optimistic views held by top civilian leaders and a belief among military leaders that civilian authorities would be responsible for postwar operations.

Francis Fukuyama Addresses Pardee Graduates: Foreign Policy Must Move Beyond Military — Jun 23, 2008

Noted author and political scientist Francis Fukuyama said this weekend at the Pardee RAND Graduate School commencement ceremony that the United States must adapt to a world in which military might is no longer enough, and needs to address its problems at home if it wants to continue to have global influence.

Taliban's Sanctuary Bases in Pakistan Must Be Eliminated — Jun 9, 2008

If Taliban sanctuary bases in Pakistan are not eliminated, the United States and its NATO allies will face crippling long-term consequences in their effort to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan.

Increase In Piracy And Terrorism At Sea; Little Evidence Supports Fear That The Two Crimes Are Merging — Jun 5, 2008

Acts of piracy and terrorism at sea are on the rise, but there is little evidence to support concerns from some governments and international organizations that pirates and terrorists are beginning to collude with one another.

One In Five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Suffer from PTSD or Major Depression — Apr 17, 2008

Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment.

U.S. Failed to Monitor and Adapt to Insurgent Trends in Iraq — Mar 11, 2008

The inability of the United States to monitor insurgent trends in Iraq and apply new counterinsurgency tactics led many Iraqi civilians to side with sectarian groups, propelling the country to the brink of civil war.

RAND Study Offers Ways to Help North Korea Peacefully Modernize Its Political, Economic Structure — Mar 10, 2008

An unprecedented joint report by researchers from the U.S., China, Russia, Japan and South Korea recommends a new approach to promoting the modernization of North Korea.

United States Lacks the Capability to Counter Insurgency in the Muslim World — Feb 11, 2008

Recognizing that the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not be the last of their kind, U.S. capabilities to meet the threat of Islamist insurgencies are seriously deficient and out of balance.

RAND Study Provides Framework for Passenger-Rail Systems to Cost-Effectively Protect Riders from Terrorist Attacks — Dec 11, 2007

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

International Cooperation Needed to Keep Terrorists from Gaining Advanced Weapons — Nov 14, 2007

International cooperation is needed to keep a new generation of advanced conventional weapons now under development from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Taxpayers, Policyholders Benefit from Terrorism Risk Insurance Program — Oct 10, 2007

Taxpayers save money and businesses are better protected with the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) in place than if the act is allowed to expire.

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