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

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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.

News Releases (76)

Book by Noted Expert Proposes a Renaissance of Thought on Nuclear Deterrence for Today's Strategic Environment — Apr 17, 2012

A new book by the late French scholar Thérèse Delpech provides a critical review and update of nuclear deterrence theory, focusing a critical eye on nuclear issues during the Cold War, examining the lessons of past nuclear crises, and outlining ways in which these lessons apply to major nuclear powers and nuclear pretenders today.

Conflict with al Qaeda Will Continue Into Its Third Decade, Although Tactics May Change — 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.

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.

RAND Book Provides Critical Review of U.S. Actions Since 9/11; Recommends Future Anti-Terror Path — Jul 26, 2011

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.

European Terrorism Trends Examined — Jul 6, 2011

Although most European terrorism plots of jihadist inspiration over the last five years appear to have been conducted independently, the most serious ones have tended to involve operational connections to groups operating outside of Europe.

Ways for Communities to Build Resilience to Aid Disaster Recovery — Feb 22, 2011

Communities can build resilience to disasters through efforts such as joint planning of government and non-governmental organizations and the development of community networks.

No Direct Military Benefit from Use of Alternative Fuels by Armed Forces — Jan 24, 2011

If the U.S. military increases its use of alternative fuels, there will be no direct benefit to the nation's armed forces.

Deradicalization Process Is Essential Part of Fighting Terrorism — Nov 29, 2010

Deradicalizing Islamist extremists may be even more important than getting them to simply disengage from terrorist activities.

Local Law Enforcement's Counterterrorism Initiatives Have Evolved into All-Hazards Strategies — Oct 27, 2010

Law enforcement agencies in areas where terrorist threats are considered to be high have expanded their focus beyond traditional crime prevention and investigation to include counterterrorism and homeland security operations.

Panel Tells Congress, Defense Department of Urgent Need to Enhance Nation's Preparedness for Domestic Disasters — Sep 15, 2010

A panel of retired senior U.S. military officers, former Members of Congress, National Guard generals and academics with expertise in responding to domestic disasters today delivered to the Congress and the secretary of defense a far-reaching report that details how defense officials can better support the nation's response to a major disaster on United States soil.

Keys to Successful Counterinsurgency Campaigns Explored — Jul 19, 2010

Good counterinsurgency practices tend to run in packs and whether a campaign includes more good practices than bad ones is a strong predictor of the outcomes of campaigns historically.

Failed Strategy to Halt Pakistan-Based Militant Groups Has Helped Lead to Rising Number of U.S. Terror Plots — Jun 21, 2010

The rising number of terrorist plots in the United States with links to Pakistan – most recently the failed car-bombing in New York City – is partly a result of an unsuccessful strategy by Pakistan and the U.S. to weaken the range of militant groups operating in Pakistan.

Effective Police Work, Lack of Local Muslim Support Limit Danger From Homegrown Jihadists in America — May 5, 2010

Effective intelligence gathering and a Muslim community unsympathetic to calls to violence have discouraged homegrown jihadist terrorism in the United States.

Conflict in Yemen Fueled by Tribalism, Religious Conflicts — May 3, 2010

Armed conflict between the government of Yemen and an opposition movement in the nation's north has spilled across its borders into Saudi Arabia, posing a potential threat to U.S. interests.

How Insurgencies End; Key Indicators, Tipping Points, and Strategy — Apr 22, 2010

From the lessons of the Vietnam War to the recent downfall of the Tamil Tigers in Southeast Asia, conflicts between insurgencies and governments tend to follow certain patterns as they arc toward their endings.

New Direction for NATO Must Make Alliance Relevant in Current Security Environment — Dec 21, 2009

NATO is rethinking its future direction for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a process that could redirect the Cold War alliance toward contemporary security issues like cyberthreats and piracy, and strengthen its commitment to fragile states like Afghanistan.

U.S. Must Focus on Protecting Critical Computer Networks from Cyber Attack — Oct 8, 2009

Because it will be difficult to prevent cyber attacks on critical civilian and military computer networks by threatening to punish attackers, the United States must focus its efforts on defending these networks from cyber attack.

More Support Needed to Integrate Nongovernmental Agencies in Human Recovery from Disasters — Sep 23, 2009

The valuable roles that nongovernmental organizations can play in helping communities recover from disasters such as Hurricane Katrina are not well-defined in federal, state or local policies. Changing emergency planning rules to make nongovernmental organizations a key component of recovery efforts could get them involved earlier and speed the full recovery of communities after disaster strikes.

U.S. Handling of Mujahedin-E-Khalq Since U.S. Invasion of Iraq Is Examined — Aug 4, 2009

At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Coalition forces classified the Mujahedin-e Khalq, a militant organization from Iran with cult-like elements that advocates the overthrow of Iran's current government, as an enemy force. A new study looks at how coalition forces handled this group following the invasion.

RAND Gulf States to Conduct Further Study of New Orleans Residents Displaced by Hurricane Katrina — Jul 16, 2009

Researchers from the RAND Corporation have launched an in-depth study of people who lived in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to gain a better understanding of how they were affected by the hurricane and its aftermath.

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