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Explaining the Increase in Unemployment Compensation for Veterans During the Global War on Terror — Nov. 26, 2008

veteran ceremony, photo courtesy of Air Force/Moore

The Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) program provides income assistance to unemployed veterans as they search for work, a number that increased by about 75 percent between 2002 and 2004, raising concerns that veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having difficulty finding civilian jobs.

History of Egyptian Grassroots Political Reform Movement Provides Insight Into Reform Efforts — Nov. 25, 2008

poster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, photo courtesy of Flickr

The Kefaya Movement, an indigenous effort for political reform organized in Egypt, provides policymakers with an example of the challenges grassroots organizations in the Arab world face as they try to implement democracy and political reform. In late 2004, Kefaya was able to mobilize wide segments of Egyptian society.

Pennsylvania's Rail System Will Require Collaborative Approach to Improve Safety and Security — Nov. 24, 2008

railroad train

Pennsylvania leaders have an active role to play in coordinating public and private efforts to improve the safety and security of Pennsylvania's extensive and complex railroad system.

Weight Loss Surgery May Help Obese Women Avoid Pregnancy-Related Health Complications — Nov. 18, 2008

pregnant woman's belly

Obese women who have weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant have a lower risk of pregnancy-related health problems and their children are less likely to be born with complications.

Trends and Future Prospects for the Arts Predict Changing Role for State Agencies — Nov. 18, 2008

symphony conductor

State arts agencies — key players within the U.S. system of public support for the arts — face a wide varitey of challenges to their typical roles as grantmakers. The author concludes that future state arts policy is likely to focus more on efforts to develop the creative economy and to grow the audience for the arts.

While China's Regional Influence Grows, U.S. Remains Key Security and Economic Partner in East Asia — Nov. 17, 2008

pacific currents

China is not eroding the foundations of U.S. alliances in East Asia and the United States remains the security partner of choice in the region. But consistent U.S. efforts are needed to ensure that the nation retains its influence.

For 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, Retirement Revisions Recommended — Nov. 13, 2008

troops at dusk

As military compensation is a fundamental tool for recruiting and retaining an all-volunteer force, it is reviewed every four years to make sure it can meet the U.S. military's objectives. This research examines the value and effectiveness of the current retirement system and possible alternatives, drawing on military personnel career data.

U.S. Department of Defense Faces Obstacles in Meeting Small-Business Contract Goals — Nov. 12, 2008

three business people

Many of the goods and services purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense are from industries that are often better suited to larger companies rather than smaller ones, complicating efforts to meet goals that about one-fourth of prime-contract dollars be awarded to small businesses.

Benefit-Cost Analysis Rarely Captures the Full Economic Value of Social Programs — Nov. 12, 2008

scale

This study assesses the state of the art in determining the economic value of social programs for use in benefit-cost analysis (BCA). It finds that rarely are the benefits of social programs consistently or accurately monetized and suggests ways to advance the use of BCA in evaluating social programs' economic returns.

No Child Left Behind School Improvement Efforts Should Be Customized to Locale — Nov. 10, 2008

teacher helps young student

This update to a 2007 study on provides an additional year of data on the strategies states, districts, and schools are using to implement standards-based accountability under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and how these strategies are associated with classroom practices and student achievement in mathematics and science.

Gauging the Accuracy, Validity of the Veterans' Health Care System Forecasting Tools — Nov. 5, 2008

veteran medals on uniform

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relies on the Enrollee Health Care Projection Model (EHCPM) to project the amount and cost of veterans' use of VA health care services. This study evaluates the EHCPM and assesses the risks and benefits posed by the VA's reliance on the model for budgeting and planning.

Link Found Between Teens Viewing Sexual Content on Television and Subsequent Pregnancy — Nov. 3, 2008

teen boy and girl in front of television

Adolescents who have high levels of exposure to television programs that contain sexual content are twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy over the following three years as their peers who watch few such shows.

Western Riverside County Habitat Conservation Plan Progressing, but Needs Fine-Tuning — Nov. 3, 2008

San Jacinto Wildlife Area, CA

Western Riverside County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan -- a sweeping effort to protect endangered and threatened species while accelerating the approval of transportation improvements -- has made significant progress, but needs modifying to reach its goals in Southern California's changing economy.

Four Countries in the Middle East Face the Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century — Oct. 31, 2008

arab student in Middle East works on laptop, Starbucks drink

Education and labor market initiatives are under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing the human capital of their populations for the 21st century global economy, though better evaluation of the implemented reforms will be needed to determine their efficacy.

Lessons from Six Decades of Research on Deterrence, From Cold War to Long War — Oct. 30, 2008

soldier hangs u.s. flag on Saddam Hussein statue

The United States' 2006 reversal of its 2002 proclamation that deterrence was irrelevant to most future national security strategies is bolstered by research which shows that deterrence will likely play an ongoing role in U.S. efforts to manage a variety of threats, including both near-peer competitors and terrorist organizations.

Easing Restrictions on Deliveries to Postal Mailboxes Could Hurt Efforts to Keep Mail Safe — Oct. 23, 2008

mailbox

Allowing private courier services to deliver items into mailboxes could hamper efforts by the U.S. Postal Service to safeguard the nation's mail. Although the impact of such a change is likely to be moderate, it could diminish public safety and security by diluting the effectiveness of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Should the United States Establish a Dedicated Domestic Intelligence Agency for Counterterrorism? — Oct. 22, 2008

U.S. Dept. Homeland Security insignia

In the wake of 9/11, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate whether the U.S. needs a dedicated domestic intelligence agency, separate from law enforcement, to deter terrorism. DHS asked RAND not to offer specific recommendations, but to make clear what should be considered in the creation of such an agency.

Creating Unique Health ID Numbers Would Facilitate Improved Health Care Quality and Efficiency — Oct. 20, 2008

stethoscope on keyboard

Creating a unique patient identification number for every person in the United States would facilitate a reduction in medical errors, simplify the use of electronic medical records, increase overall efficiency and help protect patient privacy.

New Book Provides Unique View Into Mind of Fanatical Jihadists — Oct. 15, 2008

masked terrorist

David Aaron, a veteran U.S. diplomat and director of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy, has compiled a wide range of writings by Islamic terrorists that offer an unusual window into their mentality. The book, "In Their Own Words: Voices of Jihad," is a virtual encyclopedia of jihadist rhetoric written by the terrorists themselves.

Recommended Infrastructure Standards for Mass Antibiotic Dispensing — Oct. 10, 2008

antibiotic pills

In order to ensure that the U.S. government is able to dispense antibiotics and other life-saving medical countermeasures to large populations under short timelines in the case of a large-scale public health emergency, this report recommends standards for points of dispensing that are designed to apply to widely divergent jurisdictions.

Quarterly Report on Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Rates Home-Based Programs — Oct. 10, 2008

boys in class at juvenile detention, photo courtesy of Flickr

A detailed review of five Los Angeles home-based programs determines how their current practices compare with the literature on best practices in corrections, and assigns scores to each for their ability to deliver quality interventions and services for offenders.

Alternative Fossil Fuels Have Economic Potential but Uncertain Environmental Consequences — Oct. 8, 2008

oil sands mining, photo courtesy of Flickr

Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered.

Changes Needed in Way the United States Conducts Military Interventions — Oct. 2, 2008

U.S. troops at capitol building

In preparing for possible future military interventions, the United States needs to shift substantial resources to the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, and military-civilian efforts must be integrated from top to bottom.

Thirteen Short-Term Strategies Address Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles — Oct. 2, 2008

Los Angeles traffic

A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad — and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes.

The Role of Public and Private Litigation in the Enforcement of Securities Laws in the United States — Oct. 1, 2008

New York Stock Exchange, photo courtesy of Flickr

This dissertation analyzes the combination of federal and investors' class actions to enforce federal securities laws, as well as how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act disrupts joint public and private litigation to discipline self regulatory organizations like the national stock exchanges, and the effects of these attempted reforms on the market.

Military Child Care System Should Reassess Delivery of Services to Better Meet Goals — Sep. 29, 2008

Family Child Care program, photo courtesy of Army/E. Wilson

The U.S. military should reassess its child care system to look for ways to make it better fit the needs of military families and more effectively meet recruitment, readiness and retention goals.

Strategies Suggested to Address San Diego Police Officer Recruiting Shortage — Sep. 24, 2008

San Diego police

The San Diego Police Department can help reduce an officer recruiting shortfall by making its recruiting materials more welcoming and leveraging its entire workforce to recruit new officers.

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

political reform in arab countries

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

Green warriors

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.

Analysis of Strategy and Strategies of Analysis in Weighing National Defense Alternatives — Sep. 22, 2008

chessboard

The likely costs and implications of alternative national defense strategies should be assessed through disciplined analyses that examine whether the primary agents of the strategy, U.S. combatant commands, have the ability to meet the strategy's expectations, rather than by merely allowing external events, time constraints, or politics to direct the strategy and inflate its costs.

Meeting America's Security Challenges Beyond Iraq — Sep. 18, 2008

Globe, looking ahead

In a conference cohosted by RAND and the Center for Naval Analyses Corporation, members of the U.S. defense community discussed approaches to meeting the challenges of a demanding future security environment.

Lessons from Early Adopters of Child-Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems — Sep. 16, 2008

Teacher helping children in daycare

Although child-care quality rating and improvement systems have widespread appeal and are being adopted in many states, there is a dearth of practical knowledge on how to develop and implement them. A review of early-adopter programs highlights lessons learned and offers recommendations.

Retail Medical Clinics Attract Patients Who Do Not Have Regular Health Care Providers — Sep. 10, 2008

Boy getting checkup at clinic

Retail medical clinics located in pharmacies and other stores typically attract insured and uninsured patients who are seeking help for a small group of easy-to-treat illnesses or preventive care and do not otherwise have a regular health care provider.

Improving Arts Education Is Key To Stemming Audience Decline — Sep. 8, 2008

people at museum, photo courtesy of Flickr

Policymakers have underestimated the critical role of arts learning in supporting a vibrant nonprofit cultural sector. Despite decades of effort to make high-quality works of art available to Americans, demand for the arts has failed to keep pace with supply.

Previously Deported Immigrants More Likely to Be Rearrested After Leaving Jail — Sep. 8, 2008

immigration sign

Deportable immigrants who previously have been expelled from the United States are more likely to be rearrested on suspicion of committing a crime after they are released from jail than other deportable immigrants without the prior history of expulsion.

A President's Early Foreign Policy, National Security Success Depends on Transition — Sep. 8, 2008

President George W. Bush

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.

State Paid Leave Program Has Not Boosted Employed Parents' Ability to Care for Ill Kids — Sep. 4, 2008

sick child

California's 2004 Paid Family Leave Insurance Program, the first to be instituted in the country, has not increased the use of paid family leave by employed parents in order to care for chronically ill children, probably due to lack of awareness of the program.

A Common Operating Picture for Air Force Materiel Sustainment — Sep. 3, 2008

commander visits base, photo courtesy of Air Force/Master Sgt. Scott Wagers

Implementing a common operating picture would help the Air Force conquer the countervailing pressures that place continuous demands on the organization: to increase efficiency and lower costs, and to increase the effectiveness of combat and training operations.

Assistance and Accountability in Externally Managed Schools: The Case of Edison Schools, Inc. — Sep. 5, 2008

classroom with kids

A four-year study of the nation’s largest private contractor of public school management reveals the ways in which Edison’s comprehensive approach, which aims to promote high-quality instruction, is affected by variation in school leadership and district policies.

South Korea Achieves Democracy Despite Previous Obstacles — Sep. 2, 2008

Silhouette of Kyongbukkung Palace at sunset, Seoul, South Korea

Key successes in achieving reform and development – particularly the creation of government stakesholders, the broadening of the ideological spectrum, collaboration between political factions, and major internal and external shocks – have contributed to the consolidation of the democratic system.

Early Puberty in Girls Is a Risk Factor for Delinquency, Requires Positive Parenting — Aug. 31, 2008

teenage girl broods

Early puberty is a risk factor for delinquency, and early puberty combined with low parental nurturance, communication, or parental knowledge of the child's activities presents a risk for aggressive behavior in early adolescent girls.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Education Interventions in Poor Countries — Aug. 27, 2008

four African schoolchildren, photo courtesy of Flickr

The August issue of Policy Insight discusses the growing use of randomized trials to determine the effectiveness of development programs in low-income countries, suggesting that similar methods should be used to assess the cost-effectiveness of education interventions in these countries.

Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems — Aug. 25, 2008

cover of MG-690

Why have the costs of acquiring space systems been so high? What are the sources of the problems? To answer these questions, RAND researchers examined the sources of cost growth of Air Force space systems and undertook an extensive study of two space systems.

Dangerous Thresholds: Managing Escalation in the 21st Century — Aug. 25, 2008

cover of MG-614

Historical examples and the analysis of two modified Delphi exercises augment an examination of approaches to escalation management within the demands of today’s security environment and its attendant threats involving not only long-standing nuclear powers, but also insurgent groups and terrorists.

Terrorism Expert Examines Intelligence on Al Qaida in "Will Terrorists Go Nuclear?" — Aug. 20, 2008

icbm guidance system, photo courtesy of Flickr

According to a British intelligence report leaked to the press in 2007, al Qaida operatives are planning a large-scale attack "on par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki." But just how likely is such an attack?

Overview of Research Literature Finds Positive Effects of Education on Community — Aug. 20, 2008

boy stands alone in classroom

A review of existing research prepared for a group of Santa Monica community and school leaders finds strong evidence of a positive correlation between education and community health, as measured through data on crime, employment and earnings, housing values and tax revenues.

Public Investment in Rail Capacity Expansion May Be Justified but Strategy Needed — Aug. 19, 2008

rail transport

The volume of freight transported in the United States is expected to double over the next 30 years. Greater use of rail freight could allow the supply chain to accommodate this increase while minimizing highway congestion and reducing fuel consumption.

Ambassador James Dobbins Recounts U.S. Diplomatic Efforts, Failure in Afghanistan — Aug. 18, 2008

U.S. Marine with Aghani children, photo courtesy U.S. Marines

James Dobbins' memoir of his ambassadorship in war-torn Afghanistan, where he was sent to help the Afghans assemble a successor government to the Taliban, yields insights into how government and diplomacy really work, and explains why the United States has failed to stabilize either Afghanistan or Iraq.

DoD Should Consider Nonmilitary Means to Advance U.S. National Security Interests — Aug. 13, 2008

MG-707 cover

The nature of recent challenges and the types of missions the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has undertaken highlight the need for training DoD personnel in the simultaneous use of different types of tools, military and otherwise.

Flexibility and Sensitivity to Local Concerns Are Crucial to Long-Term U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan — Aug. 1, 2008

soldiers meet with Afghani elders, photo courtesy of Air Force

The United States is heavily invested – diplomatically, economically, and militarily – in Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on this, the United States must clarify its long-term intentions to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the surrounding regions.

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

al qa'ida supporters

Current U.S. strategy against terrorist organization al Qaida has not been successful at limiting the group's capabilities. Since Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaida has been involved in more terrorist attacks than ever before, spanning an increasingly broader range of targets.

UK's 30 Year Defense Plan to Acquire 50 Ships, Submarines May Overstretch Capacity — Jul. 21, 2008

UK submarine at ocean surface, courtesy of Royal Navy

To preserve its ability to design, build and support complex warships and submarines, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) asked RAND Europe for help with identifying labour implications for its shipbuilding programme. Research indicates that MOD will need to preserve and sustain several key technical skills, especially detailed designers and professional engineers for various stages of surface ship and submarine acquisition and support.

California's Workers' Compensation Program Could Model Pay-for-Performance — Jul. 17, 2008

doctor with patient, xray

California's workers' compensation group health program is suitable for three models of a pay-for-performance initiative that include agreed on performance measures, expandable data-collection infrastructure, and incentives in order to ensure physician buy-in.

Sources of Weapon System Cost Growth in Major Defense Acquisition Programs — Jul. 10, 2008

army weapons system fires missile

The U.S. Department of Defense and Military have historically underestimated the price tag of new weapon systems. A variety of factors lead to acquisition cost growth, including military planning errors, government policy changes, and financial issues like inflation and shifting exchange rates.

U.S. Has Long-Term Economic, Political Options to Help Make Iran More Democratic — Jul. 10, 2008

two Muslim women at Tehran, Iran bazaar, courtesy of Flickr

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 Forces Play Growing Role in Nation-Building, Peacekeeping Operations Worldwide — Jul. 8, 2008

EUFOR French and Chadian soldiers, courtesy of David Axe on Flickr

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.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Linked with Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status — Jul. 6, 2008

produce in store

Higher neighborhood socioeconomic status is associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake. This link is an important pathway through which social environments affect population health.

Health of Chinese and Indian Citizens Improves but Still Lags Behind Rest of World — Jul. 1, 2008

Indian doctor examines eye of patient

China and India's health systems have shown advances in boosting life expectancy and disease prevention in the past fifty years. However, those living in the two nations are still exposed to a high degree of financial risk, geographical inequities in health care access, and overall poorer health than in other countries.

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

three soldiers in urban warfare training

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.

An Assessment of How Tobacco Money Could Improve Washington, D.C.’s Health Care System — Jun. 25, 2008

People boating by Jefferson Memorial

This study of health care access and delivery in the nation's capital explores how an assessment of D.C. citizens' comprehensive and urgent health needs as well as the recent tobacco settlement could be used to improve local health care policy options.

Major Technology Progress Needed for 25 Percent Renewable Energy Use to Be Affordable — Jun. 24, 2008

wind power turbines

Dramatic progress in renewable energy technology is needed if the United States desires to produce 25 percent of its electricity and motor vehicle fuel from renewable sources by 2025 without significantly increasing consumer costs.

The Rise of Political Islam in Turkey: The Nation’s Role in Western Security Efforts — Jun. 23, 2008

turkish mosque at sunset

While Muslim-majority Turkey may be the linchpin to promoting liberal Islam worldwide, relationships between the nation’s secular government and religious forces have shifted in the past decade, with implications for the future of Islam in the region and the world.

Public and Private Collaboration Can Provide Arts Education, Aid Child Development — Jun. 18, 2008

elementary school art class

Amid cutbacks in school arts education funding, public and private organizations in six urban regions have collaborated to expand access to arts learning for children in and outside of public school.

Room for Improvement in California's Use of High-Quality Preschool Programs — Jun. 18, 2008

preschoolers learn to count

More than half of California’s preschoolers attend center-based early care and education programs, but the children who have the most to gain from preschool frequently are those least likely to participate in the programs.

Improving Outcomes in Iraq Depends on Better Tracking of Violence Against Iraqis — Jun. 16, 2008

Young wounded Iraqi boy

A formalized system of data collection will help monitor the extent and type of violence against Iraq civilians and will help improve U.S. counterinsurgency efforts.

U.S. Leads the World in Science and Technology With Help of Foreign Scientists — Jun. 12, 2008

Four technicians standing lab glasses

An inflow of foreign students in the sciences -- as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- has helped the United States build and maintain its worldwide lead in science and technology.

Virginity Pledges May Be Appropriate As One Component of Sex Education — Jun. 10, 2008

Prom couple

Adolescents who made pledges to remain virgins until they are married were less likely to be sexually active over the three-year study period than other youth who were similar to them, but who did not make a virginity pledge

Assessing NYPD’s Firearm Training and Firearm Discharge Investigations — Jun. 9, 2008

NYPD cop car driving down street

More opportunities for thorough training, closer monitoring of lower-rated police officers, and incorporating non-lethal devices can help further reduce the already minute probability that an NYPD officer fires their weapon.

U.S. Efforts in Afghanistan Will Fail If Taliban Not Routed from Pakistan — Jun. 9, 2008

Army soldier rifle taliban stronghold afghanistan

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.

While Piracy and Terrorism at Sea Grow, Scant Evidence That They're Merging — Jun. 5, 2008

piracy sea terrorism navy

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.

U.S. Military Prone to Operations Not in Accord with COIN Doctrine — Jun. 4, 2008

soldiers battle iraq insurgency by Stacy L. Pearsall USAF

Similarities between the Vietnam War and current Middle East operations reveal our military is apt to engage in traditional warfare despite the more nuanced tactics called for by counter-insurgency doctrine.

The Brain's Role in Obesity; Subconscious Food Triggers — Jun. 3, 2008

old couple eating same piece of fruit

In the past thirty years obesity has become a global epidemic, largely due to an environment of increasingly accessible high-calorie food, which triggers ten pathways in the brain that lead to overeating without our awareness.

Long, Unpredictable Delays Found in Louisiana `The Road Home' Grants to Homeowners — May 27, 2008

Woman by trailer, photo courtesy of FEMA.gov - John Fleck

Louisiana homeowners who sought federally-funded grants through “The Road Home” program for homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have had to wait more than eight months on average to receive grants.

Breaking the Failed-State Cycle — May 27, 2008

Jenin refugee camp

The predominant threat to U.S. security in the 21st century comes not from the actions of opposing countries but from the fallout of collapsing ones. The world’s leading states can and should help the citizens of failed states by integrating efforts to reduce violence, advance the economy, and reform government.

Afghanistan: From Chaos and Corruption to Sustainable Success — May 23, 2008

stabilize afghanistan

Since the 2002 U.S.-led attacks in Afghanistan, the country has struggled to stabilize their government and society. RAND co-hosted a conference attended by experts in academia, government and NGOs from over 20 nations to discuss the need for a strategic approach to Afghanistan's attempts at nation-building.

Unbeknownst to U.S., Islamic Media Shapes the Mid-East — May 23, 2008

media conference

A DVD is now available of a conference RAND sponsored to build awareness of popular media initiatives in the Islamic world that are successfully combating extremist agendas.

What Does Economics Tell Us About Early Childhood Policy? — May 12, 2008

Baby with father

A growing body of economic research suggests that public investment in early childhood programs may be able to lower public costs for social services by improving children's long-term welfare.

New Approaches to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations — May 8, 2008

Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force

The U.S. Air Force has greatly increased the number of operational surveillance sensors and its ability to process data from these sensors. However, along with the increased number of sensors comes an increase in the complexity of the tasking of these assets.

Charter School Students in Chicago Enjoy Better Graduation, College Entry Rates — May 7, 2008

High school graduation

Chicago's multi-grade charter high schools (those serving students in grades 7-12, 6-12 or K-12) appear to improve their students' chances of graduating and attending college, as compared with the city's traditional public high schools.

Rethinking Counterinsurgency to Respond to the Evolving Jihadist Insurgency — May 5, 2008

soldier riding bike with boys running alongside

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.

Spirituality for Kids After-School Program has Significant Positive Effects — Apr. 29, 2008

Three students in school hallway

A nonreligious after-school program, Spirituality for Kids (SFK) seeks to build resilience in children. Interestingly, it improves not just social and internal outcomes but also school-related outcomes, even though it is not an academic intervention.

"Preferred Performance Metric" Could Aid Evaluation of Army Recruiters — Apr. 20, 2008

Courtesy of the U.S. Army

Traditional Army recruiter performance metrics do not adequately measure effort, skill, and productivity. A “preferred performance metric” that takes into account the difficulty of recruiting different types of youth in various markets could provide a more accurate assessment of recruiters.

Comparing Alternative U.S. Counterterrorism Strategies — Apr. 19, 2008

Courtesy of the US Army

The U.S. faces the challenge of countering the terrorism threat. Frequently, both expert decisionmakers and lay citizens have trouble assessing alternative strategies to address such issues because of the emotions and uncertainty involved. An assumption-based planning approach might help.

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

soldiers in shadow

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.

The Challenge of Nuclear-Armed Regional Adversaries — Apr. 15, 2008

Nuclear bomb test

North Korea's test of a nuclear weapon in 2006 shows that such weapons are within reach of determined regional powers. Thus, defense planners in the United States and elsewhere must begin now to confront the new security challenges posed by nuclear-armed regional adversaries.

Understanding the Challenge of Extremist and Radicalized Prisoners — Apr. 15, 2008

Prison cells

A preliminary overview of the challenges posed by radicalized and extremist prisoners helps to explore the potential for the radicalization of young European Muslims in the prison environment.

Increasing Aircraft Carrier Forward Presence — Apr. 10, 2008

Aircraft carrier

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier fleets must balance the timing of maintenance, training, and deployment with presence and surge demands. An evaluation of deployment scenarios examines the feasibility of different cycle lengths, their effect on carrier forward presence, and their impact on shipyard workloads.

Turkey as a U.S. Security Partner — Apr. 10, 2008

U.S. and Turkey

Turkey has long been an important ally, but Ankara is increasingly behaving more independently and assertively in ways that must factor into future U.S. planning for the region.

Miscommunication Hindered Student Participation in Programs Created by NCLB — Apr. 4, 2008

Student at chalkboard

Student participation in school choice programs authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act was hindered because parents did not receive clear and timely communication from schools.

Economic Burden of Health Insurance Increasing for Small Employers Providing Health Insurance — Apr. 4, 2008

Businesswomen in office

The economic burden of providing health insurance for workers increased more for small businesses than for large ones from 2000 to 2005, but the spike did not cause a significant number of small employers to abandon the benefit.

Economic Progress of Allegheny County Could be Enhanced by Government Consolidation — Apr. 3, 2008

Pittsburgh Downtown

The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania could enhance the economic progress of the region if its governments are consolidated, although evidence of such gains in other consolidations is mixed.

The Arts Debate: What do People Value About the Arts? — Mar. 29, 2008

Woman looking at painting

In 2006 and 2007, Arts Council England ran a large inquiry called 'the arts debate'. A summary of the feedback from this inquiry offers insight into what people value about the arts and what principles should guide publicly funded arts organizations.

What is the Relationship Between Gender and Health? — Mar. 27, 2008

Man and woman exercising

Modern societies' health problems involve a combination of policies, personal behavior, and choice. An examination of the ways men's and women's lives and physiology contribute to differences in their health demonstates the importance of integrating health implications into everyday decisions and actions.

The Legal and Economic Implications of Electronic Discovery — Mar. 27, 2008

woman looking at computer screen

Pretrial discovery is central to the American civil legal process, however the growing volume of electronically stored information has led to concerns over the effects of electronic discovery (e-discovery). A preliminary model explores the range of plausible effects that e-discovery might have on case outcomes.

Developing U.S. Civilian Personnel Capabilities in State-Building Operations — Mar. 19, 2008

Civilian staffing in reconstruction effort

Recent U.S. experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that engaging in stability and reconstruction operations is a difficult and lengthy process that requires appropriate resources. A framework for improving U.S. civilian personnel and staffing programs for state-building efforts could help.

Health Professionals and the Public Unprepared to Make Use of Genomic Medicine for Adults — Mar. 18, 2008

Genetics testing

Although advances in genomic medicine for common adult chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer hold promise for improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment, health professionals and the public are not prepared to effectively integrate these new tools into practice.

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

U.S. solider giving Iraqi goods

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.