RAND Best Sellers for October 2008
The books listed below are RAND's top-ten, best sellers for October 2008. You can find these and other RAND publications in bookstores; they may also be ordered through RAND. Also see RAND Book Reviews.
1.
How Terrorist Groups End: Lessons for Countering al Qa'ida
All terrorist groups eventually end. But how? Most modern groups have ended because they joined the political process or local police and intelligence agencies arrested or killed key members. This has significant implications for dealing with al Qa'ida and suggests fundamentally rethinking post-9/11 U.S. counterterrorism strategy: Policing and intelligence, not military force, should form the backbone of U.S. efforts against al Qa'ida.
2.
In Their Own Words: Voices of Jihad -- Compilation and Commentary
Actual statements and writings of jihadis expressing their views on virtually every subject relevant to their cause, with introductory and contextual material that provides the background and origins of what they are saying. The stories, rationales, ideas, and arguments of jihadi terrorists and those who support them should provide greater insights into their motives and plans, as well as the nature of the threat they pose.
3.
On “Other War”: Lessons from Five Decades of RAND Counterinsurgency Research
The challenges posed by insurgency and instability have proved difficult to surmount. This difficulty may embolden future opponents to embrace insurgency in combating the United States. Both the current and future conduct of the war on terror demand that the United States improve its ability to conduct counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. This study makes recommendations for improving COIN based on RAND’s decades-long study of it.
4.
More Freedom, Less Terror? Liberalization and Political Violence in the Arab World
A key tenet of U.S. foreign policy has been that promoting democracy reduces terrorism; however, scant empirical evidence links democracy to terrorism, positively or negatively. This study explores the relationship between the two by examining the effects of liberalization processes on political violence in six Arab cases.
5.
America's Role in Nation-Building: From Germany to Iraq
In Iraq, the United States is facing its most challenging nation-building project since the 1940s. The authors draw lessons from seven case studies — Germany, Japan, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan — then apply these to the Iraq case. The results suggest that nation-building will be difficult but possible. Success will, however, require investing sufficient financial, military, and political resources — and time.
6.
Green Warriors: Army Environmental Considerations for Contingency Operations from Planning Through Post-Conflict
This study assesses whether Army policy, doctrine, and guidance adequately address environmental activities in post-conflict phases of contingencies. A review of policy, doctrine, operational experience, and documentation, as well as interviews with Army personnel, indicates that environmental concerns can have significant impacts. Recommendations are made for improving the Army's approach to environmental issues in contingency operations.
7.
Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Iraq
For 50 years, the United States has had ill-fated experiences in effectively fighting insurgencies. In counterinsurgency terms, Vietnam and Iraq form two legs of a historically fraught triangle-with El Salvador providing the connecting leg. In light of this history, the author analyzes where the United States has gone wrong in Iraq; what unique challenges the conflict presents to coalition forces deployed there; and what light both shed on future counterinsurgency planning, operations, and requirements.
8.
After the War: Nation-Building from FDR to George W. Bush
From the post-World War II era through the Cold War, post-Cold War era, and current war on terrorism, this volume assesses how U.S. presidential decisionmaking style and administrative structure can work in favor of, as well as against, the nation-building goals of the U.S. government and military and those of its coalition partners and allies.
9.
After Saddam: Prewar Planning and the Occupation of Iraq
This monograph examines prewar planning efforts for the reconstruction of postwar Iraq. It then examines the role of U.S. military forces after major combat officially ended on May 1, 2003, through June 2004. Finally, it examines civilian efforts at reconstruction, focusing on the activities of the Coalition Provisional Authority and its efforts to rebuild structures of governance, security forces, economic policy, and essential services.
10. (tie)
Moving Los Angeles: Short-Term Policy Options for Improving Transportation
Los Angeles has the worst traffic congestion in the country. Excessive traffic congestion detracts from quality of life, is economically wasteful and environmentally damaging, and exacerbates social-justice concerns. The authors of this book recommend strategies for reducing congestion in Los Angeles County that could be implemented and produce significant improvements within about five years.
10. (tie)
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