RAND Research Topic: Peacekeeping and Stability Operations 2012-05-25T23:57:27Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/peacekeeping-and-stability-operations.html Rethinking Counterinsurgency to Respond to the Evolving Jihadist Insurgency http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG595z5.html May 5, 2008 May 5, 2008 <p>Despite great technological and military advances, British and U.S. counterinsurgency (COIN) operations have been slow to respond and adapt to the rise of the global jihadist insurgency. Operational failures have highlighted the need for the West to rethink and retool its current COIN strategy.</p> Okinawa Remains an Intractable Thorn for US and Japan 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.html Urban Warfare: The 2008 Battle for Sadr City http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9652.html Apr 9, 2012 Apr 9, 2012 The authors identify factors critical to the coalition victory over Jaish al-Mahdi in the 2008 Battle of Sadr City and describe a new model for dealing with insurgent control of urban areas. Should the U.S. Leave Afghanistan Now? History Favors More Time http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/04/03/NYT.html Apr 3, 2012 Apr 3, 2012 The Afghans will have better prospects for defeating their insurgency with continued improvement, of course, and the United States can contribute to that improvement while American forces remain, writes Christopher Paul. Conflict with al Qaeda Will Continue Into Its Third Decade, Although Tactics May Change http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP362.html Feb 16, 2012 Feb 16, 2012 While al Qaeda's capacity for large-scale attacks has been drastically reduced and the organization seriously weakened, the United States can expect to continue its battle with the terrorist group for many years to come. Conflict with al Qaeda Will Continue Into Its Third Decade, Although Tactics May Change http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/02/16/index1.html Feb 16, 2012 Feb 16, 2012 While al Qaeda's capacity for large-scale attacks has been drastically reduced and the organization seriously weakened, the United States can expect to continue its battle with the terrorist group for many years to come. Considerations for the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce: Preparing to Operate Amidst Private Security Contractors http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP359.html Feb 14, 2012 Feb 14, 2012 The U.S. Department of Defense Civilian Expeditionary Workforce (CEW) was established to deploy in support of combat and noncombat operations. Meanwhile, deployments of private military and security contractors have reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Building on prior RAND research on private security contractors in Operation Iraqi Freedom, this paper examines how these contractors may affect the CEW in ongoing operations. US Control of Contractors in Iraq Is Vital http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/02/01/TH.html Feb 1, 2012 Feb 1, 2012 With U.S. troops out of Iraq, the U.S. presence there will fall to 5,000 private security contractors....The experience with private security contractors during the war was fraught with challenges that pose risks now, writes Molly Dunigan. Three Pots of Tea: Peace in Afghanistan Depends on Its Leaders, Neighbors, and Security Forces http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/2011/winter/3tea.html Jan 13, 2012 Jan 13, 2012 There are three key ingredients for peace in Afghanistan. Afghan leaders must negotiate a peace. Afghan neighbors must respect the peace. And Afghan soldiers and police must keep the peace. Negotiating Peace in Afghanistan Without Repeating Vietnam http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/01/13/WP.html Jan 13, 2012 Jan 13, 2012 The Vietnam negotiations arose from a U.S. initiative, in response to domestic political imperatives and over repeated objections from the Saigon regime. By contrast, the incipient Afghan process has its roots in that society, not ours, writes James Dobbins. The Year of the Arab Spring http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/12/20/GS.html Dec 20, 2011 Dec 20, 2011 The Arab Spring demonstrated that leaderless revolutions are difficult to repress or co-opt. Unfortunately, it is also true that leaderless revolts find it difficult to make transition to authority, writes Charles Ries. Building Partner Country Capacity for Stability Operations http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9627.html Dec 16, 2011 Dec 16, 2011 Helps to develop an integrated strategy for building partner capacity for stability operations through an analysis of key strategic elements within the context of BPC and stability operations guidance as well as ongoing security cooperation programs. Addressing Commanders' Needs for Information on "Soft" Factors http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9628.html Dec 5, 2011 Dec 5, 2011 Describes a framework for thinking about commanders' critical information needs in countersurgency operations and offers practical ways for commanders to integrate influence activities into combined arms planning and assessment. Coalition Forces During Stability Operations: Band of Brothers or Dysfunctional Family? http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG903.html Nov 23, 2011 Nov 23, 2011 As challenging as coalition warfare is during conventional conflicts, the difficulties are compounded in number and character when the contingency is instead a stability operation. The absence of a threat that puts survival interests at risk translates into weaker commitment and more-restrictive caveats on how a participant's capabilities are employed. Economic Assistance During Stability and Support Operations http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9615.html Nov 16, 2011 Nov 16, 2011 Designed to help U.S. Army personnel more effectively use economic assistance to support economic and infrastructure development. Developing Stability: Community-Driven Development and Reconstruction in Conflict-Affected Settings http://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD288.html Nov 4, 2011 Nov 4, 2011 Tests the hypothesis that development and reconstruction actors can feasibly implement sound development and reconstruction across a relatively wide spectrum of conflict, but varying levels and natures of violence can affect its delivery. What Can Be Learned from the Soviet Experience with Afghan Security Forces? http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1078.html Oct 14, 2011 Oct 14, 2011 An overview of Soviet efforts to improve and facilitate the training and development of Afghan security forces from 1920 to 1989 can inform U.S. and allied forces' current approaches to planning and operating with Afghan forces and overcoming cultural challenges. The Challenges of International Intervention in the Wake of Conflict http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1119.html Oct 11, 2011 Oct 11, 2011 Governments intervening in post-conflict states face challenges and dilemmas regarding stabilization and reconstruction, where measures that may improve conditions in one respect may undermine them in another. A review of relevant literature seeks to inform strategic planning at the whole-of-government level. Security from the Bottom Up http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/10/07/TIME.html Oct 7, 2011 Oct 7, 2011 If the Afghan government is to have a chance of defeating the Taliban, its national-security forces must successfully leverage the country's many competing factions, village by village, writes Seth G. Jones.