2021-05-05T13:55:25Z Copyright (c) 2021, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation https://www.rand.org/about/people/d/dossani_rafiq.html Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2021/02/stabilizing-china-india-relations-in-2021-is-this-possible.html 2021-02-02T15:30:00Z 2021-02-02T15:30:00Z

China-India relations seem to be at their lowest point in decades. The Ladakh confrontation is fraught with the risk of escalation. But both countries have much to gain from a compromise. Leadership on both sides could help by focusing on the long-term gains in a spirit of give-and-take.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2021/01/covid-19-options-for-2021.html 2021-01-12T18:00:00Z 2021-01-12T18:00:00Z

The disorganized public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States helped ensure that the nation led the world in infections nearly from the beginning of the pandemic. With vaccines now becoming available, are we over the problem? Not necessarily.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2020/07/demystifying-the-belt-and-road-initiative.html 2020-07-06T17:30:00Z 2020-07-06T17:30:00Z

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China works with more than 70 countries to design and implement large infrastructure projects. Why are countries of all stripes turning to China for funding when the world is awash with cash?

Krishna B. Kumar; Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2020/03/economic-development-a-recipe-for-social-cohesion-in.html 2020-03-16T20:15:00Z 2020-03-16T20:15:00Z

Given the staggering economic challenges that need attention, how might India refocus its attention away from sectarian divides to economic development? While there is no easy answer, focusing on inclusive growth and development might offer one potential route.

Sohaela Amiri; Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2019/11/city-diplomacy-has-been-on-the-rise-policies-are-finally.html 2019-11-22T18:00:00Z 2019-11-22T18:00:00Z

Cities are not signing international treaties, nor do they have embassies around the world. But they can engage in all kinds of negotiations, reach agreements, and influence world politics. The State Department could tap into this power to enhance U.S. diplomacy, global image, and influence.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2019/08/india-and-kashmir-now-one.html 2019-08-13T14:00:00Z 2019-08-13T14:00:00Z

In a legally risky move that's already having consequences on the ground, the Modi government scrapped the part of the Indian constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. How consequential is this? And how should the international community react?

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2019/06/modi-fans-nationalist-flames-cruises-to-victory-in.html 2019-06-03T16:00:00Z 2019-06-03T16:00:00Z

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2019 victory was a much greater achievement than his equally unexpected victory five years ago. Recognizing his weak position on economic and social issues, Modi shifted his campaign to a nationalist plank, and his party won overwhelmingly even in states where it lost elections just six months prior.

Rafiq Dossani; Leah Heejin Kim https://www.rand.org/blog/2019/02/engagement-with-north-korea-small-steps-may-matter.html 2019-02-21T14:45:00Z 2019-02-21T14:45:00Z

Kim Jong-Un has said he wants North Korea to become a normal country. Agreeing to a series of short-term measures could reveal his truthfulness as much as large measures could. This could also pave the way to eventually achieving the larger goals.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/12/the-trump-xi-meeting-at-g-20-kicking-the-can-down-the.html 2018-12-14T17:00:00Z 2018-12-14T17:00:00Z

Much was expected of the discussion at the 2018 G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires between the United States and China on their ongoing trade war. However, nothing of significance emerged. With signs of a global economic slowdown surfacing earlier than expected, the failed outcomes of this meeting could come back to haunt world leaders.

Rafiq Dossani; Jalal Awan https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/10/new-pakistan-old-challenges.html 2018-10-17T20:00:00Z 2018-10-17T20:00:00Z

While the United States has been voicing concerns about the destabilizing potential of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan needs the economic stability that initiative could bring. As long as Pakistan remains a poor country, its democracy will be at risk.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/07/the-us-china-trade-war-different-messages.html 2018-07-20T19:08:00Z 2018-07-20T19:08:00Z

The trade war between the United States and China began with the notification of tariffs on $34 billion of traded goods on each side. Officials on both sides of the Pacific are using different messages to convey the dispute. What are the real impacts likely to be?

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/06/politics-in-india-not-business-as-usual.html 2018-06-19T12:30:00Z 2018-06-19T12:30:00Z

India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has suffered recent, self-inflicted electoral setbacks. But it is still the best-organized and richest political party in the country. Can opposing alliances defeat the BJP?

Rafiq Dossani; Niels Erich https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/05/do-states-need-their-own-trade-policies.html 2018-05-13T16:49:00Z 2018-05-13T16:49:00Z

Now would not be the first time California's business and trade interests haven't aligned with those of Washington. While it's the federal government, not California, that sets American trade policy, there are steps those in California could consider in order to optimize for trade opportunities abroad.

Rafiq Dossani; Niels Erich https://www.rand.org/blog/2017/10/chinas-field-of-dreams-in-pakistan.html 2017-10-16T13:00:00Z 2017-10-16T13:00:00Z

China is four years into joint planning and construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a vast economic development package. Beneath the surface, Beijing is testing a new "build it and they will come" model for delivering economic development and foreign aid.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2017/05/the-driving-force-behind-chinas-ambitious-belt-and.html 2017-05-30T09:00:00Z 2017-05-30T09:00:00Z

By committing trillions of dollars to infrastructure projects across 60 countries, China could transform the lagging economies of the region and place itself in the enviable position of being Asia's true pivot. But the new Silk Road blueprint presents risks as well as benefits.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2017/05/is-college-worth-the-expense-yes-it-is.html 2017-05-22T12:04:00Z 2017-05-22T12:04:00Z

Many American students struggle with the soaring cost of higher education. And for many college students, debt can have severe negative implications. But on balance, the benefits of a college degree appear to outweigh the costs.

Rafiq Dossani; Jonah Blank https://www.rand.org/blog/2016/10/could-the-kashmir-standoff-trigger-nuclear-war.html 2016-10-10T11:13:00Z 2016-10-10T11:13:00Z

Militants trained in Pakistan have been raiding the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir for over a quarter of a century, but the recent attack was the deadliest in years. A short-term return to peace remains uncertain and the longer term is even harder to predict.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2016/07/judgment-on-the-south-china-sea-whats-next.html 2016-07-22T13:00:00Z 2016-07-22T13:00:00Z

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines' claims to maritime entitlements in the South China Sea. How China reacts could have far-reaching consequences for all nations that depend on a peaceful and integrated Southeast Asia.

Rafiq Dossani https://www.rand.org/blog/2016/06/integrating-stem-learning-in-early-childhood-education.html 2016-06-19T10:45:00Z 2016-06-19T10:45:00Z

Young children can understand concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and early development of STEM skills seems to support learning later in life. But an effective teaching system is needed before STEM learning can be fully integrated into early childhood education.

Rafiq Dossani; Rachel M. Swanger https://www.rand.org/blog/2015/06/aging-in-asia-can-the-tigers-continue-to-roar.html 2015-06-16T16:29:00Z 2015-06-16T16:29:00Z

Changing demographics will force Japan and the “Asian Tigers” — Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan — to find ways to remain economically dynamic while increasingly looking after their elderly. How might public policy help accomplish this?