Terrorism and Homeland Security

RAND is a world leader in research on terrorism, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and homeland security—topics that affect a wide variety of policy areas and challenge individuals and nations worldwide. As a public service, RAND disseminates all its unclassified research online or in printed documents.

Research conducted by: Homeland Security and Defense Center; RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Project AIR FORCE; RAND Europe; RAND Arroyo Center; Center for Terrorism Risk Management Policy

Featured at RAND

RAND Book Provides Critical Review of U.S. Actions Since 9/11; Recommends Future Anti-Terror Path

A new collection of essays by experts from the RAND Corporation examines America in the decade since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, focusing a critical eye on the nation's actions since the attacks and outlining changes in strategy needed to improve efforts against jihadist groups.

All Items (1113)

COMMENTARY

Obama's NDAA Makes It Harder to Fight Terrorism — Feb 1, 2012

Much of the debate over this bill has focused on the political issue of executive authority versus rule of law. In doing so it has overlooked the indirect and insidious effects the new law may have on the United States' largely successful counterterrorist campaign, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

COMMENTARY

Al Qaeda in Iran — Jan 29, 2012

Iran is in many ways a safer territory from which al Qaeda can operate. The United States has targeted al Qaeda in Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, and other countries, but it has limited operational reach in Iran, writes Seth G. Jones.

COMMENTARY

Heed Film Lessons on Outbreak — Dec 29, 2011

To assure the health security of the United States, we must be capable of stopping anything a terrorist or Mother Nature might throw at us. Wholesale cuts to public health are taking us farther from that goal, write Art Kellermann and Melinda Moore.

REPORT

Is al Qaeda's Internet Strategy Working? — Dec 6, 2011

The immediate risks posed by al Qaeda's online campaign do not justify attempting to impose controls that could be costly to enforce and produce unintended consequences. However, the situation warrants continued monitoring for signals of new dangers.

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Terrorism: Do Natural Disasters Incite Terror? — Dec 1, 2011

Natural disasters can strain a society and its government, creating vulnerabilities which terrorist groups might exploit. Using a structured methodology and detailed data on terrorism, disasters, and other relevant controls for 167 countries between 1970 and 2007, we find a strong positive impact of disaster-related deaths on subsequent terrorism incidence and fatalities.

RESEARCH BRIEF

Targeted Use of Theater Inventory to Effectively Sustain Overseas Forces While Minimizing Supply Chain Costs — Nov 29, 2011

Discusses how to design a distribution network that takes advantage of the respective strengths of different modes of transportation to meet combatant command needs while minimizing total supply chain costs.

REPORT

Three Essays on Terrorism, its Relationship with Natural Disasters and its Effect on Female Labor Force Participation — Nov 15, 2011

Explores the relationship between natural disasters and terrorism and investigates and clarifies causal links between terrorism, female labor force participation, and larger gender disparities in the labor market.

COMMENTARY

Why the Haqqani Network Is the Wrong Target — Nov 6, 2011

In focusing on the Haqqani network—which enjoys little popular support in Afghanistan—the United States is neglecting the more important (and difficult) task of dealing with the Taliban sanctuary in Pakistan's Baluchistan Province, writes Seth G. Jones.

REPORT

Al Qaeda After Bin Laden: Implications for American Strategy: Addendum — Nov 2, 2011

Document submitted on November 1, 2011 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, on June 22, 2011.

COMMENTARY

Awlaki's Death Hits al-Qaeda's Social Media Strategy — Sep 30, 2011

Though Awlaki will be difficult to replace—since he effectively coupled both propaganda and operations—al-Qaeda will continue to plan attacks overseas against Western targets, writes Seth Jones.

COMMENTARY

Is It Time to Withdraw from Afghanistan? — Sep 19, 2011

Without the support of U.S. troops, the Afghan government would likely collapse to Taliban forces, backed by neighboring Pakistan, writes Seth G. Jones.

COMMENTARY

The Transatlantic Impact of 9/11 — Sep 13, 2011

By June 2002 the EU and its 15 member states had passed into law its first Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism. It set out legally binding actions to facilitate and harmonize counterterrorism efforts across the EU, writes Lindsay Clutterbuck.

COMMENTARY

The Unmentionable Costs of Airline Security — Sep 13, 2011

For most of the past decade, the U.S. has pursued policies with very little regard to the costs they impose on travelers or the net reduction in risk that they generate, writes K. Jack Riley.

COMMENTARY

Five Myths about 9/11 — Sep 2, 2011

Fear has made al-Qaeda the world's top terrorist nuclear power, yet it possesses not a single nuke. This is a lesson in how terrorism works, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

MULTIMEDIA

The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism — Sep 1, 2011

At this program, Brian Michael Jenkins explored some of the most significant political, fiscal, social, cultural, psychological, and military implications of U.S. policymaking since 9/11.

COMMENTARY

Is it Time to Consider a New Approach to Airline Security? — Sep 1, 2011

It may be possible that the development and deployment of improved security technologies and reconfigurations of security checkpoints will keep security one step ahead of terrorist adversaries, but it also may be an appropriate time to explore fundamentally new approaches, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

PERIODICAL

Beyond the Shadow of 9/11 — Sep 1, 2011

The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks warrants a thoughtful review of America's progress and future strategy. In this RAND Review cover story, RAND experts offer perspectives on Afghan-led solutions, ways to counter al Qaeda, air passenger security, and compensation for those affected by terrorism.

NEWS RELEASE

Al Qaeda's Efforts to Recruit Homegrown Jihadists in America Remain Largely Ineffective — Aug 31, 2011

Despite al Qaeda's increasing use of the Internet to attempt to radicalize and recruit homegrown terrorists in the United States, the turnout has been tiny and mostly inept.

REPORT

Al Qaeda's Efforts to Recruit Homegrown Jihadists in America Remain Largely Ineffective — Aug 31, 2011

Despite al Qaeda's increasing use of the Internet to attempt to radicalize and recruit homegrown terrorists in the United States, the turnout has been tiny and mostly inept.

COMMENTARY

Quake a Disaster 'Drill' D.C. Flunked — Aug 29, 2011

Fortunately for the nation's capitol, Hurricane Irene and the East Coast earthquake proved to be relatively minor events, as far as disasters go. But before everyone breathes a sigh of relief, it would be wise to reflect on how people responded to what were essentially dress rehearsals for much bigger events, write Lynn E. Davis and Arthur L. Kellermann.

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