James Dobbins

Overview

Commentary

• 
  Counterterrorism

  After the al-Zawahiri Strike, the U.S. May Lack Capabilities in Afghanistan

  The U.S. drone strike that killed al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan took out one of the last remaining key figures behind the 9/11 terror attacks. But it also highlighted how little the United States got out of its 2020 bargain with the Taliban, and raised questions about the U.S. ability to adequately monitor the developing threat from this quarter going forward.

  Aug 3, 2022

  Newsweek

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  Asymmetric Warfare

  Could Insurgency Offer Ukraine a Decisive Edge?

  While insurgency rarely offers a path to early victory, a campaign of popular resistance that supports the continuing conventional battle could give overmatched Ukraine an edge in its fight against Russian occupiers.

  Apr 6, 2022

  The Hill

• 
  North Atlantic Treaty Organization

  Should NATO Close Its Doors?

  In their current confrontation with Russia, the United States and its allies are defending a dangerously anachronistic principle: that all of Russia's European neighbors should be free to seek NATO membership and that NATO should be free to incorporate them. But maintaining this open-ended process of NATO expansion is likely to produce further conflicts.

  Feb 2, 2022

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  Afghanistan Was Lost Long Ago

  The United States failed to build a lasting state in Afghanistan. Although the mission was not doomed from the start, early miscalculations and critical mistakes made success unlikely.

  Aug 30, 2021

  Foreign Affairs

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  Nation Building

  Donald Rumsfeld: Anti–Nation-Builder

  As Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld repeatedly resisted U.S. military participation in nation-building–type operations. Even as the United States terminates the last of those nation-building missions, that in Afghanistan, it is worth reflecting on these experiences.

  Jul 6, 2021

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  To Lose a War

  The result of a U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan will be a blow to American credibility and a weakening of deterrence and the value of American reassurance elsewhere. It will also result in an increased terrorist threat emanating from the Afghan region, and the distinct possibility of a necessary return there one day under worse conditions.

  Apr 26, 2021

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  The Biden Administration's Afghanistan Challenge

  American efforts to speed up plodding Afghan peace talks seem unlikely to produce results fast enough to facilitate a withdrawal of remaining American and NATO forces by May 1. But the initiative could prove beneficial if it impels the two Afghan sides to at least begin engaging on the principles upon which an expanded government should operate.

  Mar 16, 2021

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  Afghanistan: Give Peace a Chance

  The timetable set out in the Afghan peace agreement was always unrealistically ambitious. If the Biden administration postpones the May withdrawal of U.S. troops, then this could provide the two Afghan sides more time to address core issues that must be resolved if any settlement is to stick.

  Feb 9, 2021

  The Hill

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  Politics and Government

  For Joe Biden, an Experienced Foreign Policy Team

  As President-elect Biden fills out his foreign policy team he might wish to reach out to a few foreign affairs professionals who sat out the Trump administration in order to fill positions in fields where some degree of bipartisanship remains a possibility. These areas might include relations with allies and with the two major U.S. competitors, Russia and China.

  Jan 19, 2021

  The Hill

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  International Diplomacy

  The Lost Generation in American Foreign Policy

  Throughout the 55 years following World War II, successive U.S. administrations racked up major foreign policy successes at an average rate of about once a year. Since 2001, the pace of foreign policy achievement has fallen to once every four years. The result has been a lost generation in American foreign policy.

  Sep 15, 2020

  The Hill

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  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Competition in Iraq

  Tensions between the United States and Iran reached a boiling point in January 2020, when Iranian-backed forces attacked U.S. military and diplomatic facilities on Iraqi soil, and the United States retaliated. Policymakers and experts again asked: Why are we in Iraq? What would happen if we left, and why would it matter?

  Jun 5, 2020

  Rudaw

• 
  Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

  After the Coronavirus: America Needs to Reengage with the World, Not Retreat from It

  The COVID-19 pandemic should lead to a further strengthening of the national and international response capacity. The alternative of erecting barriers and closing America off to the world would leave it more vulnerable to the next big shock.

  Apr 1, 2020

  USA Today

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  Afghanistan

  Peace Hasn't Broken Out in Afghanistan

  The United States and the Taliban signed a preliminary peace deal in February, aimed at ending nearly 19 years of war in Afghanistan and calling for the United States to gradually withdraw its troops. But talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government called for in the agreement and scheduled to begin on March 10 did not happen. What happens now?

  Mar 16, 2020

  Foreign Affairs

• 
  Afghanistan

  The First Step on a Long Path to Peace in Afghanistan

  It has taken 10 years to reach the brink of a first substantial step in toward peace in Afghanistan. Much could still go wrong. Can the Taliban and the Afghan government come together to jointly govern the country?

  Feb 27, 2020

  The Hill

• 
  China

  What to Expect from China in 2020

  Last year was an eventful one in China, with U.S.–China trade tensions escalating, protests in Hong Kong reaching a crisis point, and President Xi Jinping further consolidating power. What might the rest of the world expect from China in 2020?

  Jan 3, 2020

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  The Post's Afghanistan Series

  The Washington Post series “The Afghanistan Papers” charges that “senior U.S. officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan throughout the 18-year campaign.” As someone who was both an occasional participant in and frequent critic of the Bush and Obama administrations' Afghan policy deliberations, James Dobbins finds this charge considerably exaggerated.

  Dec 17, 2019

  The Hill

• 
  North Atlantic Treaty Organization

  Is NATO Brain Dead?

  French President Macron's remark about the brain death of NATO was provoked by President Trump's October 6 decision, since modified, to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria. Macron is right to wonder how Trump would respond to any threat to European security. But he is wrong to attribute this uncertainty to diminishing support for the alliance among all Americans.

  Dec 3, 2019

  Inside Sources

• 

  Memories of an Earlier Impeachment

  What is it like to work in the White House during an impeachment? RAND's Ambassador James Dobbins was special assistant to the president on the National Security Council staff during the Clinton impeachment. Here, he shares insights on the experience.

  Oct 23, 2019

  United Press International

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  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

  Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.

  Oct 21, 2019

  Fox News

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  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

  Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.

  Oct 18, 2019

  The Hill

• 
  China

  How Not to Confront China

  There are several key reasons why current U.S. policy toward China may not help advance America's competitiveness or enlist much support abroad. Most notably, the administration has yet to explain what it ultimately hopes to accomplish.

  Sep 23, 2019

  The National Interest

• 
  United States

  Time to Return to the Basics of Statecraft

  After two decades of setbacks abroad, it's time to ask whether the decline in American influence is irreversible. Ultimately, neither China nor Russia is responsible for these difficulties. Washington's failures have been self-inflicted, the result of flawed policy rather than any decisive shift in the global balance of power.

  Sep 4, 2019

  The Wall Street Journal

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  International Diplomacy

  Preparing for a Venezuela After Maduro

  If it becomes evident that Maduro isn't about to fall, then the Trump administration should revisit its sanctions and rescind those that weigh most heavily on the Venezuelan people, while targeting and isolating the regime.

  Jun 24, 2019

  Foreign Affairs

• 
  International Diplomacy

  What Ronald Reagan Can Teach Us About Dealing with Contemporary Russia

  Politics loves its historical analogies and today, perhaps, there is no more common a comparison to the Trump presidency than the Reagan administration. Reagan's tenure was marked by his successful competition with the Soviet Union. Does Reagan provide a blueprint for triumphing over modern Russia?

  May 13, 2019

  Lawfare

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  International Diplomacy

  A Warming Trend in China–Russia Relations

  The China–Russia relationship is indeed growing across military, economic, and political dimensions. But it is still more anchored in shared grievances than in common visions. Both countries contest U.S. interests, but in different ways. Washington should treat them as separate strategic challenges.

  Apr 18, 2019

  The Diplomat

• 
  Syria

  Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous

  For American policymakers, economic sanctions are too often the soft choice between doing nothing and taking effective but risky or expensive action. Yet, before they inflict years, perhaps decades of impoverishment and worse on entire populations, they should ask if their efforts are likely to succeed and are worth punishing an entire people.

  Apr 15, 2019

  The Hill

• 
  Terrorism

  The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity

  Terrorism has become an internet-enabled abuse—incited, propagated, and sometimes organized and concealed by online activity. Who should be held accountable for abusive content, the author or the publisher? And what role should the government play in regulating it?

  Mar 20, 2019

  The Hill

• 
  Afghanistan

  Trump's Latest Move on Afghanistan Is a Repeat of Obama's

  So far, both Presidents Obama and Trump have chosen “not to lose” in Afghanistan. As time goes on and the American public's patience grows shorter, this choice becomes more difficult.

  Mar 11, 2019

  The Hill

• 
  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Don't Rush Into Afghan Peace

  The Trump administration has reportedly offered to withdraw forces from Afghanistan if the Taliban stops fighting and opens negotiations with the government. If the Taliban agrees to a cease-fire and wider negotiations, it will be an accomplishment to celebrate. But it will be only the first step on a long and difficult road to peace.

  Mar 1, 2019

  The Wall Street Journal

• 
  North Korea

  Declaring an End to the Korean War

  President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might agree at their summit this week in Hanoi, Vietnam, to declare an end to the Korean War. Since this conflict stopped 66 years ago, what would be the practical impact of such declaration?

  Feb 28, 2019

  USA Today

• 
  Syria

  Confusion Over the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria

  Washington's strategy in Syria has been to impose costs on the Syrian government by diplomatic ostracism and economic sanctions. This punitive approach is morally satisfying and politically expedient, but as a practical matter it just helps perpetuate the conflict and sustain Assad's dependency on Iran.

  Jan 9, 2019

  Reuters

• 
  International Diplomacy

  The End of the End of History?

  The Trump administration has taken steps that represent a significant retreat from the norm-based, world order that the United States has championed since 1945. If this shift continues, what might be the impact?

  Jan 8, 2019

  The Wall Street Journal

• 
  International Trade

  Engagement vs. Competition: The China Policy Debate

  There is a consensus that the U.S. is engaged in an intensifying strategic competition with China. It's less clear what relationship the U.S. should seek and can plausibly achieve with its competitor. An inability to classify China along the ally-to-adversary continuum limits, if not precludes, America's ability to formulate a coherent strategy.

  Dec 31, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Trump's Syria Withdrawal: Right Idea, Wrong Way, Wrong Time

  President Trump's desire to withdraw from Syria is consistent with his and his predecessor's national strategies, but the manner in which the decision has been taken is highly counterproductive. Unless modified it could have disastrous consequences, says James Dobbins.

  Dec 26, 2018

  Reuters

• 
  Germany

  Merkel's Departure: A Star Begins to Dim

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to not seek re-election may signal an end to two key features of post-WWII Europe.

  Oct 31, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  Saudi Arabia

  The Khashoggi Case and the Cost of Subcontracting U.S. Policy

  Following the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the United States needs to, at minimum, return toward a distinctly American policy toward the Middle East, one which can be distinguished from that of its local partners.

  Oct 23, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  Globalization

  The Global Order Will Outlast U.S. Leadership

  Even if America bails on the international order there is plenty of evidence that Europe, China, Japan, and the rest of the developed world will maintain existing multilateral structures and build new ones. The order will survive but may become less liberal, less democratic, and perhaps less peaceful.

  Aug 23, 2018

  The Wall Street Journal

• 

  Freedom of the Internet 'Press'

  The First Amendment protects the rights of companies such as Facebook and YouTube to publish what they choose. Arguing against this right could lead to government regulation over digital media. It could also further degrade the reliability of online information.

  Aug 10, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  Iran

  Regime Change in Iran: Watch What You Ask For

  Mike Pompeo's speech in May signaled a desire for regime change in Iran, but the U.S. will have to change its approach to shape a positive outcome. This could involve targeting sanctions more narrowly rather than seeking to impoverish the general population. And lifting the ban on Iranian visitors to the U.S. would be a good start.

  Aug 2, 2018

  USA Today

• 
  Military Budgets and Defense Spending

  A Look at NATO Funding

  European defense spending has been rising since 2014. NATO's two percent of GDP target for defense spending is a goal, not a commitment, and indeed a goal to be reached by 2024, not a standard allies have already failed to meet.

  Jul 13, 2018

  Inside Sources

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Why This Wasn't Kim's Father's—or Grandfather's—Summit

  This is the third time the United States and North Korea have started down a path toward denuclearization and normalization of relations. The difference now is that Trump and Kim have committed themselves earlier on in the process and more publicly than their predecessors did.

  Jun 13, 2018

  Reuters

• 
  International Economic Relations

  Why Russia Should Not Rejoin the G7

  Even were it to disgorge the parts of Ukraine that it seized in 2014, Russia still would not qualify for reentry into the G8. An aspirational case for Russian membership might be made, but only if Russia's leadership aspires to democratic government and an open free market economy. At the moment there is no sign of such an aspiration.

  Jun 13, 2018

  USA Today

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Canceled Summit Doesn't Spell End to U.S.-North Korea Nuclear Diplomacy

  President Trump canceled his June 12 meeting with Kim Jong-un but left the door open for a future one. Successful diplomacy will require tending and fostering U.S. relations with China, Japan, and South Korea while forging an entirely new relationship with North Korea.

  May 25, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  Security Cooperation

  The U.S. Is Out of the Iran Deal. What Now?

  Abandoning the nuclear agreement with Iran isolates the United States, reneges on an American commitment, adds to the risk of a trade war with U.S. allies and a hot war with Iran, and diminishes the prospects of an agreement to eliminate the North Korean threat.

  May 9, 2018

  Reuters

• 
  Syria

  Conditioning American Withdrawal from Syria

  U.S. forces will soon withdraw from Syria, and the U.S. State Department put a hold on further stabilization assistance to areas liberated from the Islamic State. The U.S. and its partners should offer stabilization and reconstruction help, particularly in regions where much of the damage was the result of American-supported military operations.

  Apr 9, 2018

  Al-Monitor

• 
  North Korea

  What Will Kim Jong Un Want and What He Might Give

  Verifiable denuclearization is an impossible goal, not just because Kim Jong Un may not agree, but because such a deal couldn't be fully verified if he did. But this doesn't mean there is no deal worth making for America.

  Mar 12, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Can Europe Save the Iran Nuclear Deal?

  In mid-January, President Trump threatened to withdraw from the Iran agreement if Europe does not “fix” it within four months. There are viable steps Europe could take to address Trump's concerns about the deal — on missile development, inspections, and sunset clauses. However, if the U.S. withdraws, Europe could still work with other international powers to keep the deal alive.

  Mar 12, 2018

  Reuters

• 
  International Economic Relations

  A Brexit Do-Over?

  European Union member states have a method for dealing with unsatisfactory referendums, called a do-over. A Brexit do-over would be complicated—all 27 other EU members would have to agree—but since Britain leaving is also disadvantageous for the rest of the EU, they have incentives to welcome back the prodigal.

  Mar 6, 2018

  U.S. News & World Report

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  International Economic Relations

  North Korean Sanctions to Make for Interesting U.S.-China Trade Talks

  With one of China's top officials arriving in Washington for trade talks, this might not be the best time to impose additional tariffs on Chinese exports, as the Trump administration has been threatening.

  Feb 28, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  North Korea

  Joint Military Exercise Can Be a Bargaining Chip with North Korea

  Since 1976, the United States and South Korea have scheduled large-scale joint military exercises each year. Postponing the exercises this year has led to some signs that North Korea might be open to diplomacy. Delaying the exercises further could lead to direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

  Feb 23, 2018

  The Hill

• 
  International Diplomacy

  At Olympics, U.S. and Korean Leaders Revive Familiar Roles

  The current spate of North-South Korean diplomacy could be short-lived, giving way to resumed tensions and mounting fears of war. It seems possible, however, that South Korean President Moon Jae-in will succeed in brokering direct talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

  Feb 22, 2018

  Reuters

• 
  Syria

  Tillerson's All of the Above Policy for Syria

  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson proposed to suppress any ISIS resurgence in Syria, oust Bashar al Assad, reduce Iranian influence, continue to back a Kurdish-dominated enclave, and reassure Turkey. It's important to understand why such an “all of the above” approach would not be workable.

  Feb 1, 2018

  Newsweek

• 
  North Korea

  Nothing New from North Korea

  Kim Jong Un's recent proposal for talks with South Korea is by no means unprecedented. And while the overture could somewhat ease tensions in the region, there is no reason to believe that Kim is ready to give up his nuclear arsenal.

  Jan 12, 2018

  U.S. News & World Report

• 
  Syria

  How to Help Syrians — Without Helping Assad

  The U.S. and others have a major interest in ending the Syrian civil war, helping the millions of displaced Syrians, and preventing the re-emergence of the Islamic State. But they are naturally reluctant to assist rebuilding a country run by Assad and supported by Russia and Iran. What are their options?

  Nov 3, 2017

  The Washington Post

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Why the Iran Nuclear Deal Benefits the U.S.

  The Iran deal has stretched the time needed to produce a nuclear weapon from three to at least 12 months and has established the strongest inspections system ever negotiated. Walking away from the agreement now will only isolate the U.S. and provide Iran an easy excuse to join North Korea on the road toward nuclear weapons.

  Oct 23, 2017

  St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Punting on the Iran Nuclear Deal

  President Trump has signaled that he is likely to decline to certify that Iran is adhering to its nuclear deal commitments. The alternatives to the agreement are clear: Iran will develop nuclear weapons, the U.S. will go to war to prevent this, or both.

  Oct 16, 2017

  U.S. News & World Report

• 
  Afghanistan

  Trump's New Afghanistan Strategy: Governing from the Center?

  The president has embraced a national security establishment strategy for Afghanistan with a veneer that does not alter its essence. The result is likely to disappoint some of his supporters and to be criticized by his opponents, but it will also secure a measure of bipartisan support.

  Aug 22, 2017

  The Hill

• 
  International Diplomacy

  In Its Relations with Russia, Can the U.S. Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time?

  A U.S. policy of unremitting hostility toward Russia won't command domestic support or secure European backing. Neither will a policy of comprehensive collaboration. Washington needs to confront Moscow where necessary and cooperate where possible.

  Aug 6, 2017

  U.S. News & World Report

• 

  American Retrenchment Is a Golden Oldie

  Isolationism is a recurring temptation of American foreign policy. Responding to new and unforeseen challenges, however, the United States has repeatedly resisted that temptation and risen to the demands of global leadership. Is it different today?

  Aug 1, 2017

  The Wall Street Journal

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  Afghanistan

  Trump's Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing

  The Trump administration faces the choice of losing quickly by withdrawing from Afghanistan; losing slowly by maintaining America's current, inadequate commitment; or not losing by increasing that commitment enough to maintain a stalemate on the battlefield.

  Jun 23, 2017

  The Cipher Brief

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  North Korea

  End the Korean War, Finally

  Sixty-four years ago, the Korean War was suspended by a cease-fire. A peace treaty was never signed. Standing ready to formally end this old war may be the key to dismantling North Korea's nuclear program without starting a new one.

  Jun 8, 2017

  New York Times

• 
  The Internet

  Reining in Internet Abuse

  The internet is being used for harmful, unethical, and illegal purposes. Examples include incitement and recruitment by terrorists, cyber bullying, and malicious fake news. Americans say they are unhappy with the tone of the online discourse, but are reluctant to consider potential remedies.

  Mar 23, 2017

  Inside Sources

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  The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

  Why a Dying Islamic State Could Be an Even Bigger Threat to America

  The collapse of the so-called caliphate won't eliminate ISIS or similar groups. In the short term, the threat of ISIS-related attacks on the West may even grow.

  Mar 13, 2017

  Fortune

• 

  Rex Tillerson's Many Challenges

  If confirmed as secretary of state, Rex Tillerson will face a broad array of challenges. One may be to lend the administration consistency, while closing at least some of the deals that President-elect Trump has promised.

  Dec 24, 2016

  U.S. News & World Report

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  Security Cooperation

  Is the U.S. Abandoning the World Order It Created?

  In the 20th century the United States created and expanded a world order that has provided security and prosperity, and it has borne much of the cost for sustaining it. Can that liberal global order be updated rather than jettisoned?

  Nov 14, 2016

  Newsweek

• 
  United Kingdom

  Time for a Do-Over on Brexit

  As the right of the UK voters to decide on EU membership should be respected, so should their right to change their minds. There is no reason to regard their choice to leave as irreversible.

  Jul 7, 2016

  USA Today

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Before Obama Leaves Office, Here's What He Should Do About Iran

  The United States needs to pursue policies designed to preclude regional hegemony and create a balance of power in the Middle East, while also expressing support for human rights and engaging Iran diplomatically.

  Jun 17, 2016

  Washington Post

• 
  Afghanistan

  The Taliban's Persistent Threat

  The United States and its NATO allies have been scaling back their military commitment in Afghanistan. The Taliban, in response, have been scaling up their operations, inflicting unprecedented heavy casualties on Afghan government forces and gaining increased control over much of the countryside.

  Apr 21, 2016

  The Cipher Brief

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  International Diplomacy

  Foreign Policy Challenges on the Campaign Trail

  Foreign and security policy will play a significant role in the run-up to the November U.S. presidential election. The campaign offers voters a wide spectrum of responses to the challenges of militant Islamism, ties with China and Russia, dealings with rogue states like North Korea, and free trade.

  Feb 4, 2016

  U.S. News & World Report

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  Afghanistan

  Pakistan Holds the Key to Peace in Afghanistan

  Sustained and intensified U.S. pressure on Pakistan offers the only viable path to advancing the Afghan reconciliation process in a way that does not turn Afghanistan into a launching pad for terrorism and extremism.

  Jan 11, 2016

  Newsweek

• 
  Syria

  A Realistic Peace Plan for Syria Needs to Begin with an Immediate Cease-Fire

  To reach peace in Syria, the International Syria Support Group should concentrate on securing an immediate cease-fire and arranging for its enforcement, followed by further negotiations on the shape of a reconstituted Syrian state.

  Dec 18, 2015

  Washington Post

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  Syria

  Partition Syria to Crush the Islamic State

  The Islamic State will never join in any settlement. Peace in Syria therefore requires that everyone else stop fighting each other and join in suppressing the Islamic State.

  Nov 1, 2015

  USA Today

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  Nation Building

  One State Over the Status Quo

  If the next U.S. administration were to conclude that perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian status quo for another eight years was unacceptable or unachievable, it might begin speaking of the one-state solution not as its preferred outcome, but as one more acceptable than no solution at all.

  Aug 18, 2015

  U.S. News & World Report

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  Threat Assessment

  Reports of Global Disorder Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

  Deterring Russia, channeling growing Chinese power, and working with others to dismantle the Islamic State are daunting challenges, but not greater than rebuilding post-World War II Europe, containing the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War, and promoting democratic governance throughout much of the modern world.

  Jul 22, 2015

  Foreign Policy

• 
  International Diplomacy

  What Afghanistan Wants from Washington

  Afghan President Ghani's main mission in coming to Washington is to change the American view of Afghanistan, not so much inside the Obama administration as on Capitol Hill. This view remains a mostly negative one, formed by a seemingly endless war, high levels of government corruption, and repeated expressions of rank ingratitude on the part of Ghani's predecessor.

  Mar 23, 2015

  Politico

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  Afghanistan

  Q&A: What to Expect from Ghani's U.S. Visit

  With Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's first official visit to the United States set to begin Sunday, a trio of RAND researchers discuss what to expect after the president and his chief executive officer, Abdullah Abdullah, arrive in Washington.

  Mar 20, 2015

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  Intelligence Collection

  Why the Senate Intelligence Committee and the CIA May Both Be Right

  Given that many questions of fact regarding the CIA's program of enhanced interrogation techniques can probably never be conclusively answered, the real issue comes down to a value judgment: whether inflicting physical pain on prisoners is an acceptable means of reducing the risk of terrorist attacks.

  Dec 12, 2014

  U.S. News & World Report

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  Afghanistan

  Afghanistan After America: A Fragile Stability

  Since 2011, the United States, the Afghan government, and the Taliban have engaged in intermittent and often indirect talks about peace negotiations. It may be stalemate on the battlefield that eventually forces the parties to break this stalemate over the shape of a peace process.

  Nov 14, 2014

  The Mark News

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  The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

  Does ISIL Represent a Threat to the United States?

  There are legitimate questions about how to best go about preventing ISIL from consolidating its control over Iraq and Levant. But this is very different from arguing that ISIL is not a threat and that the United States therefore should stand aside as it does so.

  Oct 3, 2014

  The Hill

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  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Taking It One Crisis at a Time

  The main difference between the immediate post-Cold War decade and the post-9/11 era as regards the variety of international challenges is that during that earlier period these challenges were faced and dealt with seriatim, rather than allowed to accumulate.

  Aug 19, 2014

  U.S. News & World Report

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  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Learning Curve

  The post-Vietnam “never again” attitude led to a severe atrophy of the U.S. military's counterinsurgency skills and it is quite possible that the U.S. military will go through a similar phase of unlearning over the next several years, writes James Dobbins.

  Mar 14, 2013

  Foreign Policy

• 
  Syria

  Syria, the Case for Intervention

  The longer this war drags on, the more radicalised become the insurgents, the more brutalised the population, the more inflamed the sectarian passions, and the more destabilised neighbouring societies, writes James Dobbins.

  Dec 7, 2012

  Financial Times

• 
  International Diplomacy

  U.S. President Can Sustain Peace with China, Through Deterrence

  The steady growth of China's military power raises important questions about the role that the next U.S. president should play in either containing China, cooperating with China, or trying to strike a balance between containment and cooperation, write James Dobbins and Roger Cliff.

  Nov 6, 2012

  The Orange County Register

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  Global Security

  The National Security Consensus

  Today American public opinion is much less divided on international issues than it was four years ago. The two presidential candidates are much closer in their expressed views than were Obama and McCain, writes James Dobbins.

  Nov 6, 2012

  Foreign Policy

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Rhetorical Questions

  However one characterizes the strategic communications of the early Obama administration, there can be little doubt that by calibrating his messages more to foreign audiences, he increased regard for America around the globe, as confirmed in numerous opinion polls, writes James Dobbins.

  Oct 26, 2012

  Foreign Policy

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Gate Crashing the Opposition: Why Washington Should Leave Regime Change to the Iranians

  Emphasizing human rights will demonstrate to the Iranian people that the U.S. cares for their future. Threats of military action and war will only convince the Iranian opposition that America is a hostile power that supports regime change for its own narrow purposes, write James Dobbins and Alireza Nader.

  Aug 23, 2012

  Foreign Affairs

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  Global Security

  Conflict with China: What It Would Look Like, How to Avoid It

  While China's overall military capabilities will not equal those of the United States anytime soon, it will more quickly achieve local superiority in its immediate neighborhood, first in and around Taiwan and then at somewhat greater distances, writes James Dobbins.

  Aug 14, 2012

  The Diplomat

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  Global Security

  Step Up Opposition Support

  Well-meant advice and promises of postwar aid will mean much less in forging a relationship with the eventual rulers of Syria than decisive assistance now, writes James Dobbins.

  Aug 9, 2012

  NYTimes.com

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  Global Security

  Fiasco in the Levant

  The United States' ability to shape future events in Syria will only be as great as the support it gives the rebels in their fight to topple Assad, writes James Dobbins.

  Aug 9, 2012

  Foreign Policy

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  Global Security

  The Case for Expanding Assistance to the Syrian Opposition

  What is important for the U.S. government to do at this stage is forge relationships with those likely to next govern Syria. The United States should up its assistance to the rebels, providing military assets needed for success that only the United States possesses in adequate number.

  Aug 1, 2012

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Debating Hillary

  Absent further developments or revelations, history will judge Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state as solid if unspectacular, writes James Dobbins.

  Jun 21, 2012

  Foreign Policy

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Obama Learned from Bush's Mistakes and Successes

  On-the-job training is a necessary element of the American presidency, but so should be learning from the accomplishments, as well as the mistakes, of one's predecessor, writes James Dobbins.

  May 2, 2012

  U.S. News & World Report, Debate Club

• 
  Military Strategy

  U.S. and Israel Need to Agree on Strike Against Iran

  Essential to any Israeli government decision to bomb Iran is confidence that whatever advice Washington might provide before the attack, the U.S. administration will feel bound to help Israel cope with the consequences of its action, writes James Dobbins.

  Mar 5, 2012

  U.S. News & World Report, Debate Club

• 
  Syria

  Syria Is Trending Toward the Libya Model

  If the Syrian opposition clearly asks for American help, if the rest of the Arab world supports such a military intervention, and if America's European allies prove ready to join in—and indeed lead—such an effort, the United States should contribute those military assets which only it can provide, writes James Dobbins.

  Feb 14, 2012

  U.S. News & World Report, Debate Club

• 
  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Negotiating Peace in Afghanistan Without Repeating Vietnam

  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.

  Jan 13, 2012

  The Washington Post

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Iran's Self-Destructive Gamble

  For all its bluster, the Iranian regime is more vulnerable than at any time in its 32-year history. Internally, Iran is constrained by deep political divisions, civil strife and a woeful economy, write Alireza Nader and James Dobbins.

  Jan 6, 2012

  NYTimes.com on January 5, 2012 and in International Herald Tribune

• 
  Nuclear Deterrence

  Dissuading Iran from the Bomb and Avoiding War

  By refusing to face more squarely the probability that Iran will eventually acquire a nuclear weapons capability, the American and Israeli governments actually reduce their ability to dissuade Iran from crossing that threshold, writes James Dobbins.

  Dec 2, 2011

  Public Service Europe

• 
  Nuclear Disarmament

  An Attack Would Only Strengthen Iran's Influence

  Reaction to a strike against Iran among neighboring populations would be almost uniformly hostile. The sympathy thereby aroused for Iran would make containment of Iranian influence much more difficult for Israel, for the U.S., and for the Arab regimes currently allied with Washington, writes James Dobbins.

  Nov 16, 2011

  U.S. News & World Report, Debate Club

• 
  Afghanistan

  Don't Overestimate Afghanistan Pessimism

  Multiple polls commissioned by independent news and other organizations consistently reveal an Afghan population that sees improvement in its well-being, has a favorable view of its government and is optimistic about its future, writes James Dobbins.

  Sep 29, 2011

  Reuters blog, The Great Debate

• 
  Nation Building

  Libyan Nation Building After Qaddafi

  If Libya is to have a chance of replacing Qaddafi with something better, the United States, its allies, and the rest of the international community will need to pivot very quickly from the rather straightforward requirements of war fighting to taking seriously the complex and demanding tasks of peace building, write James Dobbins and Frederic Wehrey.

  Aug 23, 2011

  Foreign Affairs

• 
  Nation Building

  Afghanistan's Reasons for Optimism

  Afghans in general are much more optimistic about their future than we Americans are about ours, write James Dobbins and Craig Charney.

  Apr 1, 2011

  The Washington Post

• 
  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Thinking Twice about Libyan Engagement

  We have learned over the past couple of decades that it is deceptively easy for the world's only superpower to topple objectionable regimes—but a good deal harder to replace them with something better, writes James Dobbins.

  Mar 15, 2011

  RAND.org and GlobalSecurity.org

• 
  Counterinsurgency

  Your COIN Is No Good Here

  One can legitimately argue for reducing the United States' commitment to the Afghan war, but it makes no sense to denigrate the tactics and techniques best designed to counter an insurgency, writes James Dobbins.

  Oct 26, 2010

  Foreign Affairs

• 
  Nation Building

  A To-Do List for Shoring Up Haiti

  It is not enough to raise stronger buildings. What Haiti truly needs is a more resilient and effective government, write James Dobbins and Laurel Miller.

  Aug 23, 2010

  Los Angeles Times

• 
  Afghanistan

  The Afghanistan Clock

  By replacing Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. President Barack Obama has treated the most recent symptom of his Afghan malaise—an insubordinate, or at least indiscreet, general. He has not, however, addressed the underlying malady, writes James Dobbins.

  Jun 25, 2010

  ForeignPolicy.com

• 
  Afghanistan

  Talking to the Taliban

  President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan wants to talk to the Taliban, and that's going to be a thorny issue for President Obama when the two leaders meet on Wednesday, writes James Dobbins.

  May 12, 2010

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Military Doctrine

  Dueling Doctrines: Mullen vs. Powell? Or Mullen & Powell vs. Rumsfeld?

  Reflecting changes in the American approach to counterinsurgency, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen recently enunciated a new and apparently more restrained doctrine for the use of armed force. But is this really a repudiation of the so-called Powell Doctrine, asks James Dobbins.

  Mar 17, 2010

  Proceedings, a magazine of the U.S. Naval Institute

• 
  International Humanitarian Assistance

  Skip the Graft

  The latest disaster to befall Haiti creates the opportunity to combine bipartisan accord on Haiti in Washington with keen and perhaps sustained American public interest, writes James Dobbins.

  Jan 17, 2010

  New York Times

• 
  Afghanistan

  When Generals and Ambassadors Feud

  In 2007 in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker set a model for civil-military collaboration: They never let daylight show between their positions. General McChrystal and Ambassador Karl Eikenberry have diverged from this model, writes James Dobbins.

  Nov 13, 2009

  Foreign Policy

• 
  Afghanistan

  Our Man in Kabul

  The last thing Karzai, NATO, and the United States can afford is the emergence of a renewed northern alliance, writes James Dobbins.

  Nov 4, 2009

  Foreign Affairs

• 
  Afghanistan

  Afghanistan: Echoes of Vietnam

  Now that U.S. involvement in Iraq has begun to require fewer resources, Afghanistan is the new focus of American and European anti-war sentiment, and increasingly Obama's critics are drawing on the analogy of Vietnam, writes James Dobbins.

  Oct 8, 2009

  The Huffington Post

• 
  Security Cooperation

  Real Threats, Real Fears, Real Defenses

  Critics of the Bush administration missile defense plans for Central Europe have charged that the United States would be deploying defenses that did not work against a threat that did not exist, writes James Dobbins.

  Sep 21, 2009

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Afghanistan

  Ultimate Exit Strategy

  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the upcoming high-level conference on Afghanistan at The Hague as a "big-tent meeting, with all the parties who have a stake and an interest in Afghanistan." With the situation in that country growing more precarious by the day, those attending this meeting must also think big, write Karl F. Inderfurth and James Dobbins.

  Mar 26, 2009

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Iran

  To Talk with Iran, Stop Not Talking

  If the dominant imperative is to stop Iran from getting the bomb, every month counts. Perhaps the simplest -- and certainly the quickest -- way to launch a dialogue with Iran, and the one least likely to play unhelpfully into the upcoming Iranian election, would be to simply stop not talking to Tehran, writes James Dobbins.

  Mar 3, 2009

  The Washington Post

• 
  Iran

  Dealing with Iran: The Case for Talking

  Opponents of war with Iran who take their stand on the grounds that Washington should talk to Tehran first are in danger of finding themselves trapped within a broadening national consensus that could lead to an unwinnable war, writes James Dobbins.

  Jun 30, 2008

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Russia

  An Independent Kosovo Was a Part of the U.N.'s Plan

  Diplomatic wrangling over Kosovo's declaration of independence this week has created a good deal of misunderstanding about the U.N. Security Council Resolution that defines that society's current status and future evolution, writes James Dobbins.

  Feb 25, 2008

  Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

• 
  International Diplomacy

  Not That Bad a Legacy, After All

  George W. Bush may leave a positive foreign policy legacy after all. A year ago this would have seemed difficult to credit... [Y]et over this period, Bush has put in place a series of more pragmatic policies from which even a Democratic successor will have a hard time moving away, writes James Dobbins.

  Jan 17, 2008

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Iraq

  The Right Way to Withdraw

  We're involved too deeply in Iraq and Afghanistan to exit suddenly without fixing our mess.

  Oct 14, 2007

  Los Angeles Times

• 
  Middle East

  Ready for Another Mideast War?

  The Bush administration has acknowledged that Israel attacked Syria last week, but has not given any indication that the United States sought to prevent it, or discourage a repetition, writes James Dobbins.

  Sep 20, 2007

  International Herald Tribune

• 
  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

  Are the Sunnis Changing Sides

  Are the Sunnis Changing Sides, in the International Herald Tribune

  Aug 17, 2007

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  How to Talk to Iran

  How to Talk to Iran, in Washingtonpost.com

  Jul 22, 2007

  The Washington Post

• 

  Who Lost Iraq?

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Who Lost Iraq?

  Apr 16, 2007

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  My Enemy's Enemy

  Published commentary by RAND staff: My Enemy's Enemy, in International Herald Tribune.

  Feb 27, 2007

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  A Bad Plan for the Middle East

  Published commentary by RAND staff: A Bad Plan for the Middle East, in International Herald Tribune.

  Jan 17, 2007

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  America Needs to Pick Its Fights Carefully

  Published commentary by RAND staff: America Needs to Pick Its Fights Carefully, in International Herald Tribune.

  Aug 13, 2006

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  America Needs to Pick Its Fights Carefully

  Published commentary by RAND staff: America Needs to Pick Its Fights Carefully, in International Herald Tribune.

  May 2, 2006

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Dialogue Can Stop Iran at the Nuclear Threshold

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Dialogue Can Stop Iran at the Nuclear Threshold, in the Financial Times.

  Apr 4, 2006

  Financial Times

• 

  A Far too Costly Pentagon

  Published commentary by RAND staff: A Far too Costly Pentagon, in United Press International.

  Feb 27, 2006

  United Press International

• 

  Give Haiti United Message from D.C.

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Give Haiti United Message from D.C., in the Miami Herald.

  Feb 26, 2006

  Miami Herald

• 

  Amateur Hour in Iraq

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Amateur Hour in Iraq, in United Press International.

  Feb 10, 2006

  United Press International

• 

  Iraq Needs Unity

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Iraq Needs Unity in United Press International.

  Dec 30, 2005

  United Press International

• 

  NATO's Role in Nation-building

  Published commentary by RAND staff: NATO's Role in Nation-building in NATO Review.

  Dec 8, 2005

  NATO Review

• 

  Little to Argue About on Iraq

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Little to Argue About on Iraq in the Hill.

  Dec 7, 2005

  The Hill

• 

  Bush Needs Allies Near Iraq, However Unsavoury

  Published commentary by RAND staff: Puts & Calls: Bush Needs Allies Near Iraq, However Unsavoury in the Financial Times.

  Nov 1, 2005

  Financial Times

• 

  NATO Peacekeepers Need a Partner

  Published commentary by RAND staff: NATO Peacekeepers Need a Partner in the International Herald Tribune.

  Sep 30, 2005

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Iraq's Constitution: From Dayton to Baghdad

  Published commentary by RAND staff: IIraq's Constitution: From Dayton to Baghdad appearing in the International Herald Tribune.

  Aug 27, 2005

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  America Is Punishing Germany for Its Iraq Opposition

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jul 12, 2005

  Financial Times

• 

  Lessons to Be Learned from Conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jun 28, 2005

  NPR

• 

  Majority Rule That Respects Minorities

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jun 11, 2005

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Iraq: Democracy vs. Power Sharing

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  May 7, 2005

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Upcoming Iraqi Elections Could Make Ethnic Strife There Even Worse

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jan 26, 2005

  NPR

• 

  'Oil for Food' Worked

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Dec 10, 2004

  Washington Post

• 

  In Iran, the U.S. Can't Stay on the Sidelines

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Dec 2, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  We're All Multilateralists Now

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Nov 13, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  The Kosovars Need to Know Where They're Headed

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Oct 29, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Elections and Nation-building

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Oct 20, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Safety First

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Sep 22, 2004

  New York Times

• 

  Nation-Building Returns to Favour

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Aug 11, 2004

  Financial Times

• 

  Kosovo: Delaying is the Least-Bad Option

  The recent outbreak of ethnic violence in Kosovo has led to a good deal of soul-searching within the international community. A noble experiment in building a multi-ethnic Kosovo seems to have ended in failure. European governments are rethinking their approach. Talk of partition is gaining currency.

  Aug 2, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Securing the Peace Will Require Finesse

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jun 27, 2004

  Orange County Register

• 

  Gaining The Iraqis' Toleration

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  May 28, 2004

  Washington Post

• 

  Changing Course In Iraq Is Not an Option

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  May 17, 2004

  The Financial Times

• 

  Time to Deal With Iran

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  May 6, 2004

  The Washington Post

• 

  A Perilous Journey from Sovereignty to the Polls

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Mar 18, 2004

  Financial Times

• 

  A Way Out for Haiti

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Feb 19, 2004

  New York Times

• 

  A Perilous Dialogue of Pessimists

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Feb 4, 2004

  Financial Times

• 

  UN Man for Baghdad: Bringing the Afghan Experience to Iraq

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Jan 20, 2004

  International Herald Tribune

• 

  Carrots Are as Vital as Sticks in the Balkans

  In a collective display of wisdom and will in the Balkans, the U.S. and Europe imposed an uneasy peace upon the war-torn region in the second half of the 1990s.

  Jan 6, 2004

  Financial Times

• 

  We've Been Down This Road Before

  commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.

  Jul 17, 2003

  Los Angeles Times

• 

  America's Record on Nation Building

  commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.

  Jun 13, 2003

  New York Times

• 

  And, Now: The Battle For Peace and Order

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Apr 11, 2003

  New York Newsday

• 

  Europe is Split in a Number of Different Ways

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Feb 18, 2003

  Albany Times Union

• 

  Afghanistan's Faltering Reconstruction

  Published commentary by RAND staff.

  Sep 12, 2002

  New York Times

Publications

• 

  Report

  Engage, Isolate, or Oppose: American Policy Toward the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

  The Taliban's seizure of control of Afghanistan has led to a humanitarian crisis. The authors explore three U.S. policy options: to engage with the Taliban, to isolate the regime, or to oppose the Taliban by seeking to remove them from power.

  May 26, 2022

• 

  Report

  Advancing Global Citizenship in America

  This Perspective addresses what global citizenship is, why it is important, how it can be fostered, and ways to promote global citizenship across the political spectrum.

  Mar 24, 2022

• 

  Report

  A Guide to Extreme Competition with China

  The U.S.-China competitive dynamic is at a critical crossroads. Policymakers can benefit from a new framework for thinking about this challenge and realistic and actionable recommendations that are sensitive to the limits of U.S. competitiveness.

  Dec 1, 2021

• 

  Report

  Stabilizing Eastern Syria After ISIS

  The authors assessed humanitarian needs in Eastern Syria's Middle Euphrates River Valley and examined how locally focused stabilization efforts might be orchestrated to help preclude the Islamic State's recapture of territory.

  Sep 8, 2020

• 

  Report

  The Lost Generation in American Foreign Policy: How American Influence Has Declined, and What Can Be Done About It

  The authors trace the decline of U.S. international influence over the past two decades, explore reasons for this decline, and suggest ways in which it might be reversed.

  Sep 8, 2020

• 

  Report

  Weighing U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq: Strategic Risks and Recommendations

  Supporting a stable and friendly Iraq is in the long-term interest of the United States, and this requires maintaining a small force of military advisers to help train and develop Iraqi military capabilities so that Iraq can defend itself.

  May 19, 2020

• 

  Report

  DDR in Afghanistan: Disarming, Demobilizing, and Reintegrating Afghan Combatants in Accordance with a Peace Agreement

  The authors identify best practices in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration field in the context of conditions in Afghanistan and recommend steps that the U.S. Army and Government can take to advise and assist the Afghan government.

  Feb 24, 2020

• 

  Report

  Seizing the Golden Hour: Tasks, Organization, and Capabilities Required for the Earliest Phase of Stability Operations

  This report analyzes the golden hour—the early phase of a postconflict stability operation—and the actions, organization, and capabilities necessary to seize it and set the conflict-affected country on a path to self-sustaining peace.

  Feb 11, 2020

• 

  Report

  A Consensus Proposal for a Revised Regional Order in Post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia

  The authors of this volume offer a proposal for a revised regional order in post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia that would boost security, facilitate prosperity, and address conflicts in the region, and thus reduce tensions in Russia-West relations.

  Oct 8, 2019

• 

  Report

  Africa's Role in Nation-Building: An Examination of African-Led Peace Operations

  What have the peacekeeping missions undertaken by African institutions in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Darfur, the Comoros, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin achieved?

  Jun 28, 2019

• 

  Research Brief

  How African Institutions Help Keep the Peace

  African-led missions are often the peacekeepers of last resort, taking on tasks rejected by others. Two of the six African operations examined helped set a relatively peaceful trajectory. Three of the missions contributed to improving security.

  Jun 28, 2019

• 

  Report

  America's Strategy-Resource Mismatch: Addressing the Gaps Between U.S. National Strategy and Military Capacity

  This report describes the specific technological, doctrinal, and budgetary gaps between the stated strategic and defense policies of the United States and the resources and capabilities that would be required to implement those policies successfully.

  May 7, 2019

• 

  Report

  Extending Russia: Competing from Advantageous Ground

  As the U.S. National Defense Strategy recognizes the United States is currently locked in a great-power competition with Russia. This report analyzes how the United States can compete to its own advantage and capitalize on Russia's weaknesses.

  Apr 24, 2019

• 

  Research Brief

  Overextending and Unbalancing Russia: Assessing the Impact of Cost-Imposing Options

  This brief summarizes a report that comprehensively examines non-violent, cost-imposing options that could be pursued to overextend and unbalance the Russian regime.

  Apr 24, 2019

• 

  Report

  Russia Is a Rogue, Not a Peer; China Is a Peer, Not a Rogue: Different Challenges, Different Responses

  This Perspective assesses the strategic competition among Russia, China, and the United States for global influence.

  Jan 28, 2019

• 

  Report

  Consequences of a Precipitous U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

  In December 2018, President Donald Trump directed the Secretary of Defense to reduce the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan by half. In this paper, the authors consider the likely effects of an early and complete or near-complete departure.

  Jan 16, 2019

• 

  Journal Article

  After the Summit: Prospects for the Korean Peninsula

  History suggests that the most probable consequence of the Singapore Summit will be difficult and lengthy negotiation followed by slow and inadequate compliance, quite possibly on both sides.

  Jul 18, 2018

• 

  Report

  Getting Out from "In-Between": Perspectives on the Regional Order in Post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia

  The perspectives collected in these conference proceedings explore alternatives to the current approaches to the regional order for the states "in between" the West and Russia -- Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

  Mar 8, 2018

• 

  Journal Article

  Saving Transatlantic Cooperation and the Iran Nuclear Deal: A View from Europe and the United States

  Strong transatlantic cooperation holds the best prospects for achieving the core common objective of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.

  Feb 16, 2018

• 

  Report

  A Peace Plan for Syria IV: A Bottom-Up Approach, Linking Reconstruction Assistance to Local Government Formation

  In this fourth paper in a series addressing Syria's conflict, RAND researchers argue that an approach to reconstruction offered on a community-by-community basis could be part of the solution.

  Nov 30, 2017

• 

  Report

  Conflict with China Revisited: Prospects, Consequences, and Strategies for Deterrence

  Although armed conflict between the United States and China is not likely, the possibility is real enough to require prudent policies and effective deterrent measures.

  Oct 2, 2017

• 

  Commercial Book

  Foreign Service: Five Decades on the Frontlines of American Diplomacy

  From Vietnam in the 1960s to Afghanistan in this decade, James Dobbins was on the frontlines of American diplomacy and worked to advance U.S. national interests in some of the world's most difficult and troubled arenas.

  Jun 20, 2017

• 

  Report

  Rolling Back the Islamic State

  This report assesses the threat the Islamic State poses to the United States and examines strategies to counter the group.

  Apr 20, 2017

• 

  Report

  Knowing the Enemy: Understanding the Islamic State and Principles for Defeating It

  RAND researchers outline general principles that U.S. policymakers must consider when conceiving and weighing appropriate strategies to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

  Mar 21, 2017

• 

  Report

  A Peace Plan for Syria III: Agreed Zones of Control, Decentralization, and International Administration

  In this third paper in a series addressing Syria's conflict, RAND researchers examine how recent developments in Syria and the region reinforce the prospects for a national ceasefire based upon agreed zones of control backed by external powers.

  Feb 8, 2017

• 

  Report

  A Peace Plan for Syria II: Options for Future Governance

  In this second paper in a series addressing Syria's conflict, RAND researchers examine the possibility of decentralizing power in the country to limit current conflict and allow more time to develop a national transition process.

  Jun 7, 2016

• 

  Report

  Will the Iran Deal Survive? Iran, Regional Crises, and U.S. Policy

  At this daylong conference hosted by the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy, experts discussed current and future challenges facing the Iran nuclear deal and implications for Iran, the region, and U.S. policy.

  Mar 24, 2016

• 

  Report

  A Peace Plan for Syria

  This essay presents a peace plan for Syria focused on the steps to secure and sustain a ceasefire. It concludes that the external parties that have supported the combatants will need to come together to guarantee and enforce any such ceasefire.

  Dec 17, 2015

• 

  Report

  Choices for America in a Turbulent World: Strategic Rethink

  Exploring the elements of a national strategy for U.S. foreign policy, the book examines critical global, regional, and other policy issues and decisions likely to confront the next president and senior U.S. officials in 2017 and beyond.

  Jul 23, 2015

• 

  Research Brief

  Developing a U.S. Strategy for Dealing with China — Now and into the Future

  U.S. military strategy in Asia should include a framework that allows the United States and China to pursue common and individual goals, deters China's use of force to intimidate its neighbors, and postures U.S. forces to support partner militaries.

  Sep 2, 2014

• 

  Report

  The U.S. Army in Asia, 2030-2040

  Looking to the 2030-2040 time frame, the U.S. Army will play an important role in helping U.S. policy and military strategy strike a balance between cooperating with China and deterring potential Chinese expansionism.

  Sep 2, 2014

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 37, No. 1, Summer 2013

  Stories discuss the harms caused by sexual assault in the military; the prospects for minimalist international interventions; cyber threats and nations' responses to them; and the rising costs of dementia in the United States.

  Jul 15, 2013

• 

  Report

  Overcoming Obstacles to Peace: Local Factors in Nation-Building

  This monograph analyzes the impediments that local conditions pose to nation-building. It examines how external actors and local leaders in a variety of societies modified or worked around those conditions to promote enduring peace.

  Feb 4, 2013

• 

  Journal Article

  Overcoming Obstacles to Peace

  The memory of a few spectacular failures has created the impression that nation-building seldom succeeds. Yet most such operations over the past 20 years have produced positive results.

  Feb 1, 2013

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 36, No. 2, Fall 2012

  The cover story focuses on nine key issues in the 2012 U.S. presidential election: income inequality, health care costs, immigration reform, energy options, education, al Qaeda, Iraq, democratization in the Middle East, and China.

  Sep 21, 2012

• 

  Testimony

  The Case for Expanding Assistance to the Syrian Opposition

  Testimony presented before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on August 1, 2012.

  Aug 1, 2012

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 36, No. 1, Spring 2012

  Stories cover Iran's nuclear threat, social security in Mexico, programs for veterans, crime costs, U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, the health insurance mandate, legal defense, marijuana legalization, global education, and Louisiana's coastal planning.

  May 11, 2012

• 

  Research Brief

  What’s the Potential for Conflict with China, and How Can It Be Avoided?

  Presents scenarios to illustrate possible sources of military conflict with China over the next thirty years.

  Apr 17, 2012

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 35, No. 3, Winter 2011-2012

  Stories discuss world demographic trends, Afghan peace prospects, U.S. health care spending, California prisoner reentry, Latin American inequalities, global health, veterans' mental health, highway investments, teacher bonuses, and charter schools.

  Jan 13, 2012

• 

  Report

  Coping with a Nuclearizing Iran

  Some time in the coming decade, Iran will probably acquire nuclear weapons or the capacity to quickly produce them. This book provides a midterm strategy for dealing with Iran in light of a variety of policy alternatives.

  Nov 28, 2011

• 

  Report

  Conflict with China: Prospects, Consequences, and Strategies for Deterrence

  Presents scenarios to illustrate possible sources of military conflict with China over the next thirty years.

  Oct 10, 2011

• 

  Report

  Afghan Peace Talks: A Primer

  The objective of a negotiated peace in Afghanistan has been firmly embraced by most of the potential parties to a treaty. However, arriving at an agreement about the sequencing, timing, and prioritization of peace terms is likely to be difficult.

  Aug 17, 2011

• 

  Journal Article

  Afghanistan: Guidelines for a Peace Process

  The overarching Western objective in Afghanistan should be to prevent that country from becoming not just a haven for transnational terrorists, but a terrorist ally as well.

  Aug 1, 2011

• 

  Report

  The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism

  In a series of essays, this book addresses the question of how America has responded in the ten years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and suggests options for more effectively dealing with the terrorist threat in the future.

  Jul 26, 2011

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 34, No. 3, Winter 2010-2011

  Stories discuss Haitian recovery, transportation finance, teacher accountability, childhood psychological problems, aging Americans, military savings, U.S. space systems, Middle East peace, the Wallace Foundation, and Politics Aside 2010.

  Jan 6, 2011

• 

  Report

  Building a More Resilient Haitian State: French translation of summary

  Ce rapport passe en revue les défis auxquels est confrontée la République d'Haïti, ainsi que les projets de réforme envisagés, afin d'identifier les priorités les plus nécessaires, réalisables et durables dans le domaine de la construction étatique.

  Aug 24, 2010

• 

  Research Brief

  Building a More Resilient Haitian State: Key Recommendations and Priorities

  Haiti's future prosperity and peace require building a more effective, resilient state. RAND researchers identified Haiti's main challenges and recommended a set of state-building priorities that are necessary, feasible, and sustainable.

  Aug 12, 2010

• 

  Report

  Building a More Resilient Haitian State

  Haiti's future prosperity and peace require building a more effective, resilient state. This report sifts through Haiti's many challenges and reform plans to identify the state-building priorities that are most necessary, feasible, and sustainable.

  Aug 6, 2010

• 

  Testimony

  Reconstructing Haiti

  Testimony presented before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 28, 2010.

  Jan 26, 2010

• 

  Testimony

  Iran Sanctions: Options, Opportunities, and Consequences

  Testimony presented before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs on December 15, 2009.

  Dec 11, 2009

• 

  Multimedia

  U.S. Policy in Afghanistan: Basic Questions -- Strategic Choices

  Video documenting a RAND-sponsored symposium of experts and journalists addressing assumptions and alternatives for U.S. policy in Afghanistan.

  Nov 6, 2009

• 

  Report

  Occupying Iraq: A History of the Coalition Provisional Authority

  This book, based on a review of nearly 100,000 never-before-released documents from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and interviews with its key officials, examines and evaluates the activities of the CPA from May 2003 to June 2004.

  Apr 20, 2009

• 

  Testimony

  Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

  Testimony presented before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs on March 26, 2009.

  Mar 24, 2009

• 

  Testimony

  Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

  Testimony presented before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 26, 2009.

  Feb 23, 2009

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 32, No. 3, Fall 2008

  The cover story offers 12 suggestions for the new U.S. president; other pieces discuss education and health in China and India, health policy models, the U.S. Postal Service mailbox monopoly, a green U.S. Army, and political reform in the Arab world.

  Dec 14, 2008

• 

  Commercial Book

  After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan

  As the Bush administration's first special envoy to Afghanistan, Ambassador Dobbins helped the Afghans assemble a successor government to the Taliban. His memoir explains why the United States has failed to stabilize either Afghanistan or Iraq.

  Aug 3, 2008

• 

  Report

  After the War: Nation-Building from FDR to George W. Bush

  This volume assesses the impact of U.S. presidential decisionmaking style and administrative structure on nation-building, from the post--World War II era through the Cold War, post--Cold War era, and current war on terrorism.

  Jul 29, 2008

• 

  Testimony

  Does America Need A New Grand Strategy?

  Testimony presented before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on July 15, 2008.

  Jul 15, 2008

• 

  Report

  Europe's Role in Nation-Building: From the Balkans to the Congo

  This volume compares and contrasts European experiences in nation-building with those of the U.S. and the UN based on six case studies of European-led nation-building missions in Albania, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Côte d'Ivoire, the Congo, and Bosnia.

  Jun 5, 2008

• 

  Testimony

  Negotiating with Iran

  Testimony presented before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs on November 7, 2007.

  Nov 7, 2007

• 

  Testimony

  Testimony before the French Commission on Defense and National Security

  Testimony presented before the Commission du Livre blanc sur la defense et la securite nationale, Paris, France, on October 25, 2007.

  Oct 25, 2007

• 

  Brochure

  Policy Insight, Volume 1, Issue 5, October 2007: Shaping the Policy Priorities for Post-Conflict Reconstruction

  Based on RAND's research on nation-building, this Policy Insight suggests that how policies are prioritized in post-conflict reconstruction environments must be nonlinear, context dependent, and specific to the requirements of each country.

  Oct 16, 2007

• 

  Report

  Coping with Iran: Confrontation, Containment, or Engagement? A Conference Report

  In March 2007, the RAND Corporation held a public conference, ''Coping with Iran: Confrontation, Containment, or Engagement?'' to discuss policy options to address the Iranian challenge. This report summarizes remarks presented during the conference.

  Jul 17, 2007

• 

  Testimony

  U.S. Policy Options in the Iraq Crisis

  Testimony presented before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 17, 2007.

  Jul 15, 2007

• 

  Testimony

  A Comparative Evaluation of United Nations Peacekeeping

  Testimony presented before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight on June 13, 2007.

  Jun 11, 2007

• 

  Testimony

  Ending Afghanistan's Civil War

  Testimony presented before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 8, 2007.

  Mar 7, 2007

• 

  Research Brief

  A Guide to Nation Building

  This research brief summarizes recommendations made in The Beginner's Guide to Nation-Building, a comprehensive and indispensable guide to best practices in the conduct of peace and stability operations in states emerging from conflict.

  Feb 2, 2007

• 

  Testimony

  Ending Afghanistan's Civil War

  Testimony presented before the House Armed Services Committee on January 30, 2007.

  Jan 29, 2007

• 

  Report

  The Beginner’s Guide to Nation-Building

  This volume presents a comprehensive compilation of best practices in nation-building and serves as an indispensable reference for planning future interventions.

  Jan 11, 2007

• 

  Report

  Securing Tyrants or Fostering Reform? U.S. Internal Security Assistance to Repressive and Transitioning Regimes

  Assesses the success of U.S. assistance in improving the effectiveness, accountability, and respect for human rights of internal security forces in repressive regimes.

  Nov 7, 2006

• 

  Report

  The UN's Role in Nation-Building: From the Congo to Iraq

  Reviews UN nation-building efforts to transform unstable countries into democratic, peaceful, and prosperous partners, and compares those efforts to U.S.-led missions.

  Jan 30, 2005

• 

  Report

  The RAND History of Nation-Building

  Examines U.S. and UN nation-building missions since WWII, to analyze military, political, humanitarian, and economic activities in post-conflict situations, determine key principles for success, and draw implications for future missions.

  2005

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 29, No. 1, Spring 2005

  Asserts that it is unfair to hold students and schools accountable for success without giving them the resources to succeed; also addresses public benefits of the arts, U.N. and U.S. experiences in nation building, and access cards in the workplace.

  2005

• 

  Testimony

  The Effect of Terrorist Attacks in Spain on Transatlantic Cooperation in the War on Terror

  Testimony presented to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs on March 31, 2004.

  Dec 21, 2004

• 

  Testimony

  A Fresh Start for Haiti? Charting Future U.S. Haitian Relations

  Testimony presented to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotic Affairs on March 10, 2004.

  Dec 21, 2004

• 

  Testimony

  Stabilization and Reconstruction Civilian Management Act of 2004

  Testimony presented to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on March 3, 2004.

  Dec 21, 2004

• 

  Report

  Aid During Conflict: Interaction Between Military and Civilian Assistance Providers in Afghanistan, September 2001-June 2002

  An assessment of humanitarian-assistance efforts by and interaction between civilian and military providers in the early phases of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

  Oct 28, 2004

• 

  Testimony

  U.S. Policy Toward Southeast Europe: Unfinished Business in the Balkans

  Testimony presented to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on July 14, 2004.

  2004

• 

  Report

  America's Role in Nation-Building: From Germany to Iraq

  Successful nation-building requires substantial investments of money, troops, and time — and this is likely to be especially true in Iraq.

  2003

• 

  Testimony

  Next Steps in Iraq and Beyond

  Testimony presented before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, on September 23, 2003.

  2003

• 

  Periodical

  RAND Review: Vol. 27, No. 2, Summer 2003

  Discusses how lessons from the past have not yet been applied to American efforts at nation-building in Afghanistan and Iraq; also examines troop deployment, infectious diseases, workers' compensation, and the health consequences of prisoner release.

  2003

Multimedia

• 

  2:09

  Extending Russia

  Sep 5, 2019

• 

  44:36

  What's Next for Korea?

  Jul 10, 2018

• 

  38:43

  Direction of Foreign Policy in Trump Administration's First 100 Days

  Apr 26, 2017

• 

  54:13

  Session Three: Future U.S.-Iran Policy

  Mar 3, 2016

• 

  26:41

  A Peace Plan for Syria

  Dec 16, 2015

• 

  2:12

  In Brief: James Dobbins on Choices for America in a Turbulent World

  Jul 24, 2015

• 

  26:37

  Strategic Rethink: Choices for America in a Turbulent World

  Jul 24, 2015

• 

  38:58

  How to Defuse Iran's Nuclear Threat: Bolster Diplomacy, Israeli Security, and the Iranian Citizenry

  Jun 7, 2012

• 

  03:38

  The Costs of Overreaction

  Aug 29, 2011

• 

  16:08

  What's Next? Afghan Peace Talks

  Aug 16, 2011

• 

  Rebuilding Haiti

  Oct 18, 2010

• 

  59:23

  Containment

  Oct 29, 2009