Dalia Dassa Kaye

Adjunct Political Scientist

Off Site Office

Education

Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in political science, University of California, Berkeley

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Dalia Dassa Kaye is an adjunct political scientist at the RAND Corporation. She is also a senior fellow at UCLA's Burkle Center for International Relations. In 2020–2021 she was a visiting scholar at the Wilson Center. She served as the director of RAND’s Center for Middle East Public Policy 2012–2020. Before joining RAND in 2005, Kaye lived in The Netherlands where she was an advisor at the Dutch Foreign Ministry, a visiting professor at the University of Amsterdam and a research scholar at The Netherlands Institute of International Studies. Kaye began her academic career as assistant professor of political science and international affairs at The George Washington University. A life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she is the recipient of many awards and fellowships, including a Brookings Institution research fellowship and The John W. Gardner Fellowship for Public Service. Kaye publishes widely, including in outlets like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Reuters, Al-Monitor, The National Interest, Newsweek, Survival, and the Washington Quarterly. She has appeared in many media outlets, including BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. She is the author of two books, Talking to the Enemy: Track Two Diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia and Beyond the Handshake: Multilateral Cooperation in the Arab-Israeli Peace Process, as well as dozens of journal articles, op-eds, and RAND studies. Kaye earned her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Research Focus

Concurrent Non-RAND Positions

Senior Fellow, UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: ABC Online, Australia; Al Jazeera America; Al-Monitor; BBC News; The Centry Foundation; CNBC; CNN; CNN International; Deutsche Welle; Here and There, Santa Fe Public Radio; The Hill; Israel Policy Forum; KABC; KCBS-AM; KCRW-FM; KFI, Los Angeles; KPCC-FM; KQED; NPR News; NPR Weekend Edition Saturday; PRI, The World; UCLA News; United Press International; Voice of America; Xinhua News Agency

Commentary

Arms Proliferation and Control

A Renewed Nuclear Deal With Iran: Turning Back the Clock?
Diplomats from Europe, the United States, Russia, China, and Iran are in Vienna trying to revive the Iran nuclear agreement of 2015. But even if negotiations succeed, the post-deal environment could be much more unstable than it was seven years ago.
Mar 4, 2022
Los Angeles Times
International Economic Relations

China Does Not Have to Be America's Enemy in the Middle East
China and Iran made a deal in which China promised to boost its investment in Iranian infrastructure in exchange for a steady supply of oil. This uptick in Chinese influence does not necessarily erode U.S. power in the region. The United States may even find overlapping interests with China since both have a stake in containing conflicts and instability.
Apr 19, 2021
War on the Rocks
Nuclear Deterrence

The Biden Administration Will Find It Difficult to Contain Israel and Iran's Escalating Tensions
Iran is blaming Israel for a blackout at one of its nuclear research facilities. This attack is likely to complicate nuclear diplomacy and further erode trust between Tehran and Washington. Also, it may only incentivize Iran to advance its nuclear program.
Apr 14, 2021
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
International Diplomacy

Why Israel-UAE Deal Doesn't Merit the Hype
Some have called the Israel-UAE normalization agreement a geopolitical earthquake. But the hyperbole is not warranted; this deal is unlikely to be a strategic game changer in the Middle East.
Aug 18, 2020
Al-Monitor
Low-Intensity Conflict

An Israeli Escalation Against Iran?
Israeli involvement in recent attacks on Iran would not be surprising, and more such attacks might be coming. However, Israel's bet that the Iranians will not respond is risky. It's hard to control escalation when things are so volatile, especially as hardline Iranian leaders may increase pressure to retaliate.
Jul 15, 2020
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
Turkey

A Way Forward for the United States and Turkey
Relations between the United States and Turkey, while fraught with tension, must also align with a mutual interest in stability in the Middle East and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. It may be important for the region's stability and prosperity to find constructive ways for the United States to work with Turkey in the years ahead.
Jul 9, 2020
Al-Monitor
Middle East

COVID-19 Impacts on Strategic Dynamics in the Middle East
The pandemic is sure to have transformational effects everywhere, and the Middle East is no exception. But it's unlikely that the crisis will lead to new regional strategic dynamics. Rather, it's more likely to reinforce existing and largely negative trend lines.
Mar 26, 2020
The RAND Blog
International Diplomacy

Peace with the Region Is Not a Peace Plan
Acceptance of Israel from the broader Arab world will not resolve the dilemma of how the Israelis and the Palestinians can agree to live on the same land together. A viable plan for the future, one that is about real peace and not a one-sided political gambit, must recognize these realities.
Feb 13, 2020
Al-Monitor
Iran

With Chaos in the Streets of Iran, Here's How the United States Could Help the Iranian People
The Iranian people deserve American support. But current U.S. policies are hurting the cause that Iranians are fighting for while failing to achieve any strategic objectives.
Dec 3, 2019
Los Angeles Times
Israel

Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far
Israel has a right to defend itself from Iranian threats to its country. American leaders should consider balancing support for Israel's efforts to counter Iran with firm redlines about activities negatively impacting American interests.
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
Iran

The Costs of Confrontation with Iran Are Mounting
Even if the United States and Iran avoid a direct military clash, recent escalation and the U.S. maximum pressure campaign are exacting long-term costs for U.S. interests and regional stability in ways that may be difficult if not impossible to reverse.
Jun 17, 2019
The Hill
International Diplomacy

The Warsaw Summit Is No Madrid
The peace process begun in Madrid nearly 30 years ago showed promise, but ultimately stalled, and will need rethinking to adapt to today's Middle East. The world could use a worthy successor. The Warsaw summit probably isn't it.
Feb 13, 2019
New Republic
Lebanon

Helping Lebanon Succeed Is More Than About Countering Iran
As tensions increase on the Israeli-Lebanese border the possibility is growing that a confrontation with Iran may move from Syria to Lebanon. For the United States, turning its back on this small but strategically critical country and conflating U.S. interests in Lebanon solely with countering Iran could be short-sighted, and a missed opportunity at a time when the region has few.
Jan 16, 2019
The National Interest
Iran

Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help the U.S.?
What happens if leaving the Iran nuclear deal and applying “maximum pressure” doesn't lead Iran to change its behavior or the regime to collapse? The Trump administration may find that it's much easier to break a deal than to replace it with something better.
Aug 7, 2018
The Hill
U.S.-European Relations

The Strategic Fallout of U.S. Withdrawal from the Iran Deal
President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement. What will happen next? Friction between the United States and its European allies will likely increase, while Iran moves closer to China and Russia. Also, the resentment of a new generation of Iranians toward America is likely to grow.
May 10, 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 Diplomacy

What to Make of Trump's Decision on Jerusalem
While the Israeli-Palestinian issue is not a high priority in the Arab world today with all the other turmoil engulfing the region, not even the Trump administration's closest allies support the president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And it risks inflaming regional tension and increasing anti-American sentiment.
Dec 28, 2017
Jewish Journal
Nuclear Deterrence

Decertifying the Iran Nuclear Deal Would Not Increase U.S. Leverage
The Iran nuclear agreement is not perfect, but it is working. Iran is no longer on the brink of being able to produce a nuclear weapon as it was two years ago. The suggestion that decertifying would increase U.S. leverage to renegotiate and strengthen the agreement is unrealistic.
Oct 5, 2017
Jewish Journal
Middle East

State Competition, Not Sectarianism, Key Driver of Middle East Politics
Sectarianism is real and dangerous in the Middle East, but the region is more complicated. The next leaders in Iran and Saudi Arabia, under pressure from youthful populations and worsening economic challenges, may no longer see value in a costly sectarian agenda.
Aug 3, 2017
Axios
International Diplomacy

Time for Quiet Diplomacy, Not Taking Sides
Disputes within the Gulf Cooperation Council are inevitable given differing threat perceptions and political interests, but there is no reason for the U.S. to pursue policies that aggravate the differences and risk fueling greater instability. Instead, Washington could assure both sides that it will support any agreement they reach.
Jun 7, 2017
The National Interest
Middle East

What to Expect in the Middle East: Q&A with Dalia Dassa Kaye
Dalia Dassa Kaye explains why there's more to the Middle East than what appears in daily headlines, how RAND is working to help people in the region, and more.
Apr 24, 2017
Syria

The Limits of Going It Alone in Syria
Very little on the ground in Syria has changed since the U.S. missile strikes against the Assad regime. To translate this military action into policy gains, it will be necessary to follow up with increased diplomatic coordination with international partners and institutions.
Apr 18, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Security Cooperation

Hidden Dangers of Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem
Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem would antagonize partners in the Islamic world who are key to fighting ISIS. And any potential cooperation that might have developed between Israel and Arab states over common concerns about Iran could suffer.
Dec 28, 2016
Newsweek
Iran

RAND Experts Q&A on the Iran Nuclear Deal, One Year Later
Looking back on the past year, five RAND experts respond to a series of critical questions about the Iran nuclear deal, its implementation, and potential challenges ahead.
Jul 12, 2016
International Diplomacy

The Iran Deal Is Working: What Now?
U.S. policy will likely continue to balance the tensions between containing and deterring Iran with regional allies, while testing areas where engagement with Iran might either be unavoidable (as in Syria) or desirable (such as in counternarcotics cooperation or efforts to stabilize Afghanistan).
Mar 9, 2016
The National Interest
Iran

A Better Deal for Iran
It is critical for lawmakers to understand there will be serious consequences for rejecting the Iran deal. And those consequences look a lot worse for the United States and its partners than for Iran.
Aug 24, 2015
The Hill
International Diplomacy

Peace in the Middle East: America's New Post-Iran Deal Challenge
It is no surprise that the final Iran nuclear deal was met with opposition in Israel and Saudi Arabia. For all the talk about whether or not this is a good deal, negotiating with Iran was the original sin from their perspective.
Jul 20, 2015
The National Interest
Iran

The Iran Nuclear Deal: RAND Experts Answer Questions About the Days Ahead
Diplomats have reached a nuclear agreement with Iran. Now, the United States faces important policy decisions that will help shape the days ahead and the relationship that emerges between Iran and the other parties involved.
Jul 14, 2015
International Diplomacy

Here's What Will Happen If the Iran Deal Falls Through
Even a strong nonproliferation agreement that prevents all pathways toward the Iranian bomb won't magically transform the Middle East. But on balance, the region would be better off with a good nuclear deal than without one.
Jul 7, 2015
Foreign Affairs
Iran

Don't Call It a Shakeup: Why the Nuclear Deal Won't Change U.S. Regional Politics
The United States can't wait for a final nuclear deal with Iran to begin thinking through how to manage its aftermath. The challenges ahead are already clear. Washington should prepare for them by setting aside old formulas that have failed to advance stability.
Apr 10, 2015
Foreign Affairs
Iran

RAND Experts Q&A on the Iran Nuclear Framework
President Barack Obama hailed last week's framework for an Iranian nuclear accord as a 'historic understanding,' and there was celebration in Iran, but many challenges remain.
Apr 6, 2015
Tunisia Could Be a Model for What Works in the Mideast
Tunisia has a shot at showing that a different model in the region can succeed, a model of inclusion, tolerance and economic prosperity. It has a lot of work ahead of it, but the vision is there.
Mar 24, 2015
Los Angeles Times
Israel

New Israeli Government, New Position on Iran?
With elections taking place in Israel today, would a change of leadership lead to a fundamentally different Israeli stance on a nuclear deal? You'd think the answer was easy. But it's not.
Mar 17, 2015
Newsweek
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

Experts React to ISIS's Gruesome Execution of Jordanian Pilot
A grisly video released yesterday by ISIS appears to show Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh burned alive in a cage. Why the shift away from beheadings? What does the execution mean for Jordan? What implications will it have for ISIS?
Feb 4, 2015
Refugees

Syrian Refugees: A Blessing in Disguise?
To avoid further resentment and restrictions on Syrians desperate to escape their war-torn country, as well as the instability such attitudes generate, the international community must work with host governments to increase and highlight the benefits refugee populations can bring to neighboring states.
Feb 2, 2015
The National Interest
International Diplomacy

An Iran Nuclear Deal Is Still Possible, and Here's Why
The United States and other world powers returned to the negotiating table this week to try to finalize a nuclear agreement with Iran after announcing a seven-month extension in late November. How did the parties get this far?
Dec 19, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Arms Proliferation and Control

Not to Worry, Israel
Some Israelis worry that America's fight against the Islamic State group is distracting from the Iranian nuclear challenge. But the idea that the U.S. would make additional concessions to Iran in the nuclear negotiations because of the anti-Islamic State group effort is not based on realities on the ground.
Oct 23, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

The U.S. Can't Count on Regional Support in the Fight Against ISIS
Regional governments may put some of their differences aside to help fight ISIS. But in a region rife with turmoil and multiple internal fissures, Washington cannot count on its confrontation with ISIS as its partners' overriding priority.
Sep 16, 2014
The New York Times
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

RAND Experts Discuss U.S. Strategy on ISIS
President Obama outlined a strategy last week to deal with the threat posed by the terrorist group known as ISIS. RAND experts discuss the speech and the follow-up efforts so far.
Sep 15, 2014
Nuclear Disarmament

Gaza and the Nuclear Negotiations
Whether a deal materializes that meets Iranian demands for a civilian nuclear program, but is limited enough to satisfy the United States and its partners remains to be seen. But the longer the Gaza conflict continues, the harder it'll be to insulate the negotiations from broader regional trends, which doesn't bode well for a successful outcome.
Jul 28, 2014
Foreign Affairs
Iran

The Fallacy of Iranian Leverage
Rather than helping Iran in the nuclear negotiations, Iran's battle against the ISIS could actually hurt it. The broader strategic dynamics were already working against Iran, and the situation in Iraq has only made that more true.
Jun 27, 2014
Foreign Affairs
Nuclear Deterrence

Iran Deal: Will Israel Play Spoiler?
Israel will not embrace an agreement that is likely to leave in place some limited Iranian nuclear enrichment and infrastructure, but it nonetheless will not likely derail a deal with actions like a military strike.
Mar 12, 2014
The National Interest
International Diplomacy

A Different Israeli Take on Iran
An agreement did not come out of last week's talks. But when the participants resume negotiations later this month, they should keep one thing in mind: Not all Israelis are as alarmed about a potential deal as Netanyahu. Despite Netanyahu's hard line, many Israelis believe diplomacy can work.
Nov 12, 2013
Los Angeles Times
Arms Proliferation and Control

US Should Keep Focus on Syria, Not Iran
Those arguing for US-led airstrikes based on the premise of preventing a precedent with Iran would only make it easier for Iran and Syria to paint military action against the brutal Assad regime as an Israeli-inspired scheme rather than a regionally and internationally supported option, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Sep 6, 2013
Al-Monitor
Syria

Learning the Wrong Lessons from Israel's Intervention in Syria
The lesson here is not that countries should act for the sake of maintaining credibility but that they should act when they believe it serves their interests and might make a difference, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
May 14, 2013
Reuters, The Great Debate blog
Israel

Israeli Election Not Likely to End Pressure on Obama for Iran Action
In the absence of any diplomatic breakthrough and the continued advance of Iran's nuclear enrichment program this year, we can expect Israeli leaders across the political spectrum to press the Obama administration for military options, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Jan 23, 2013
The RAND Blog
International Diplomacy

A Crucial Difference on Iran
The dilemma is how sanctions and pressure would dissuade Iran's leaders from pursuing their nuclear program (as Mr. Romney recommended) if a President Romney wouldn't agree to sit down and talk with them, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Oct 23, 2012
NYTimes.com
Nuclear Deterrence

Israel, Iran, and the Redline Debate
Politicizing the Iran-Israel issue at Monday's presidential debate could prove a setback for efforts to ultimately prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Oct 18, 2012
The RAND Blog
Iran

How to Tackle Iran
Instead of committing the United States to take military action against Iran, a better option would be convincing more Israeli leaders and people that a military attack is still a bad idea if the goal is to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Sep 6, 2012
CNN
International Diplomacy

Concerns Over Protecting Israel's Credibility May Heighten Odds of Iran War
Despite the unprecedented levels of U.S. assistance and military cooperation with Israel in recent years, Netanyahu's government does not appear convinced that the United States will deal with Iran down the road if Israel holds off now, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Sep 5, 2012
The Atlantic
International Diplomacy

The Right Way to Help Syria's Rebels
The Obama administration has led international efforts to isolate and sanction those most responsible for the regime's violence, and those efforts—along with diplomacy to bring Russia and China along—should be strengthened, write Dalia Dassa Kaye and David Kaye.
Aug 9, 2012
Los Angeles Times
International Diplomacy

Israel's Risky Option on Iran
While a nuclear-armed Iran that hasn't been attacked is dangerous, one that has been attacked may be much more likely to brandish its capabilities, to make sure it does not face an attack again, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Feb 21, 2012
Los Angeles Times
International Diplomacy

Do Israelis Really Want to Bomb Iran?
Much has been made over differences between the U.S. and Israeli threat perceptions of Iran, but in fact internal Israeli divisions suggest that the gap may not be as great as some suggest, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Jan 12, 2012
ForeignPolicy.com
International Diplomacy

Iran Might Not Be the Big Winner of Mideast Uprisings
Mar 4, 2011
The Washington Post
Iran

A WikiLeaks Disconnect
Given domestic pressures and intra-Arab rivalries, all Arab states hedge in their policies toward Iran, seeking to rein in Iranian influence but also being mindful of the permanence of Iranian power and the costs of antagonizing it, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Dec 6, 2010
Los Angeles Times
Iraq

Fifth Columns in the Gulf?
While the full extent of Iran's current clandestine influence remains murky, the "proxy narrative" is instructive more for what it reveals about Gulf insecurities than any truths about Iran's capabilities or intentions write Frederic M. Wehrey and Dalia Dassa Kaye.
May 24, 2010
ForeignPolicy.com
Counterterrorism

Fighting Terror the Cold War Way
With much talk about how to “win hearts and minds” in the Muslim world, it's surprising that few are looking back to a global contest of ideas that the U.S. and its allies categorically won: the Cold War, write Todd C. Helmus and Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Oct 14, 2009
ForeignPolicy.com
Iran

Defeating Hamas Will Not Defeat Iran
In the absence of clarity of what Israel hopes to leave behind in Gaza, some observers speculate that the offensive against Hamas has a second target: Iran.... Although Hamas surely benefits from Iranian support, Iran's regional position has little to do with Hamas, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Jan 14, 2009
Foreign Policy
Lebanon's Sectarian Aftershocks
Published commentary by RAND staff: Lebanon's Sectarian Aftershocks, in United Press International.
Aug 8, 2006
United Press International

Publications

Multimedia
Reimagining U.S. Strategy in the Middle East Panel Discussion
The start of a new U.S. administration offers an opportunity to rethink some of the fundamental premises underlying American policymaking in the Middle East.
Mar 29, 2021
Report
Reimagining U.S. Strategy in the Middle East: Sustainable Partnerships, Strategic Investments (Executive Summary)
In this summary, researchers assess the advantages and trade-offs of a reimagined Middle East strategy where strategic goals link to a broader understanding of stability that prioritizes reduced conflict, better governance, and greater development.
Feb 23, 2021
Report
Reimagining U.S. Strategy in the Middle East: Sustainable Partnerships, Strategic Investments
Researchers assess the advantages and trade-offs of a reimagined Middle East strategy where strategic goals link to a broader understanding of stability that prioritizes reduced conflict, better governance, and greater growth and development.
Feb 23, 2021
Research Brief
Countering Sectarianism in the Middle East: Lessons from Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria, and Iraq
This research draws lessons on how to promote resilience to sectarianism and cross-sectarian cooperation through an exploration of four Middle Eastern case studies: Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria, and Iraq.
Jan 14, 2019
Report
Countering Sectarianism in the Middle East
What drives sectarianism in the Middle East? This report explores how communities inoculate themselves from sectarianism or recover from it and draws lessons on how to promote resilience and cross-sectarian cooperation.
Jan 14, 2019
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
Israel's Iran Policies After the Nuclear Deal
Israel was one of the most vocal opponents of the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Yet once the agreement became a reality, the nuclear issue moved off the radar in Israel's political and public discourse as the focus turned to nonnuclear challenges.
Aug 29, 2016
Report
The Outlook for Arab Gulf Cooperation
This report examines what binds and divides the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates -- and presents the outlook for the GCC's evolution over the next ten years.
Jul 26, 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
Multimedia
The Days After a Deal: Iran, Its Neighbors, and U.S. Policy Following a Nuclear Agreement
On April 3, 2014, the RAND Corporation held a half-day conference in its Washington office addressing The Days After a Deal: Iran, Its Neighbors, and U.S. Policy Following a Nuclear Agreement.
Apr 17, 2014
Report
The Days After a Deal with Iran: Regional Responses to a Final Nuclear Agreement
This perspective posits that a final nuclear agreement is reached with Iran and then examines the potential responses of two of the most important U.S. partners in the region: Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Apr 17, 2014
Report
Artists and the Arab Uprisings
Artists can play a positive role in shaping public debate and supporting democratic transition in the Middle East. This report explores challenges to artists after the Arab uprisings and how governments and nongovernmental actors can support them.
May 28, 2013
Report
The Muslim Brotherhood, Its Youth, and Implications for U.S. Engagement
Since the 2011 revolution in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as a key political player. The organization's youth merit attention not only as a challenge to organizational cohesion, but as a potential conduit for expanding U.S. engagement.
Oct 18, 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
Report
Israel and Iran: A Dangerous Rivalry
Once de facto allies, Israel and Iran have come to view each other as regional rivals over the past decade, increasing the risks for direct military conflict that could have serious implications for U.S. regional interests.
Jan 5, 2012
Research Brief
Addressing Commanders' Needs for Information on "Soft" Factors
Describes a framework for thinking about commanders' critical information needs in countersurgency operations and offers practical ways for commanders to integrate influence activities into combined arms planning and assessment.
Dec 5, 2011
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
Iran's Nuclear Future: Critical U.S. Policy Choices
As Iran's nuclear program evolves, U.S. decisionmakers will confront a series of critical policy choices involving complex considerations and trade-offs. The U.S. Air Force will need to prepare to carry out whatever policies are chosen.
Jun 7, 2011
Report
The Iraq Effect: The Middle East After the Iraq War
The Iraq War has created new challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy in the Middle East by affecting the regional balance of power, local views of U.S. credibility, the stability of Arab regimes, and the future of al-Qa'ida.
Feb 22, 2010
Report
The Impact of U.S. Military Drawdown in Iraq on Displaced and Other Vulnerable Populations: Analysis and Recommendations
Assesses the risks and implications of U.S. drawdown and withdrawal from Iraq for vulnerable populations in Iraq and in neighboring states, and makes recommendations for mitigating anticipated problems.
2010
Report
Understanding Commanders' Information Needs for Influence Operations
Describes a study aimed at understanding commanders' information requirements for ''soft'' factors to improve combined arms operations' efficacy and develop ways to integrate information and influence operations into combined arms planning/assessment.
Oct 28, 2009
Report
Barriers to the Broad Dissemination of Creative Works in the Arab World
Within the Arab world, many creative works are being produced that could play a role in countering violent extremism. This book examines the substantial barriers to the broad dissemination of these creative works and suggests ways to overcome them.
Sep 4, 2009
Report
Withdrawing from Iraq: Alternative Schedules, Associated Risks, and Mitigating Strategies
In studying the withdrawal from Iraq, RAND assessed logistical constraints, trends in insurgent activity, and the implications of the readiness of Iraqi security forces on the size of the residual U.S. force and on security in Iraq and the region.
Jul 21, 2009
Research Brief
A New U.S. Policy Paradigm Toward Iran
Iranian power projection is marked by strengths, but it also has serious liabilities and limitations. The United States should consider a new approach to Iran that integrates elements of engagement and containment.
May 6, 2009
Report
Dangerous But Not Omnipotent: Exploring the Reach and Limitations of Iranian Power in the Middle East
Although Iranian power projection in the Middle East is marked by strengths, it also has serious liabilities and limitations. This report surveys the nature of both in four critical areas and offers a new U.S. policy paradigm for Iran.
Apr 14, 2009
Report
More Freedom, Less Terror? Liberalization and Political Violence in the Arab World
Examines the effects that liberalization processes and democracy promotion have had on terrorism and political violence in six Arab countries.
Sep 9, 2008
Research Brief
Flexibility and Sensitivity to Local Concerns Are Crucial to Long-Term U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan
This research brief discusses long-term U.S. security relationships with Iraq, Afghanistan, and the surrounding regions.
Jul 10, 2008
Report
Future U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan: U.S. Air Force Roles
Frames potential long-term U.S. security relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan in a regional context and posits roles of U.S. forces, especially the Air Force, in supporting these relationships under a variety of contingencies.
Jun 17, 2008
Report
Talking to the Enemy: Track Two Diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia
This monograph examines unofficial cooperative-security dialogues in the Middle East and South Asia, assessing their effects and limits as well as the lessons they provide for future track two efforts.
Aug 28, 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