Biden and the U.S. Intelligence Community
President-elect Biden faces a daunting domestic and foreign policy agenda. Choosing an experienced hand like former CIA Deputy Director Avril Haines to be the next Director of National Intelligence could help restore the Intelligence Community's role in informing White House decisionmaking.
Nov 25, 2020 The Hill
Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems
External powers have intervened in the civil wars in Libya and Syria, supplying advanced conventional weapons that have intensified the conflicts. But not all of the weapons have performed as claimed.
Jul 2, 2020 RealClearDefense
Spending Smart or Spending Big: The Value of Systematic Assessments of Weapons Procurement
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and inevitable economic difficulties, national governments should be encouraged to weigh their military requirements in a more cost-effective manner. Countries need to think strategically about the life cycle costs of equipment, not just the original purchase price.
Jun 8, 2020 The RAND Blog
Are Military Purchases in SE Asia for Political Balancing a Good Use of National Defense Resources?
The Philippines has embarked upon a multi-phase, multi-year modernization of its armed forces, but some of the acquisition decisions appear to be driven by political symbolism rather than responsible military decisions. Using military procurement for political symbolism and paying a high price for it takes resources away from other pressing national security and domestic needs.
May 7, 2020 Asian Military Review
Russian S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System: Is It Worth the Sticker Price?
Many countries do not fully appreciate that effective air defense requires a networked system and not just one missile system component. Getting the true defensive value out of the S-400 surface-to-air system requires additional components that add costs and complexities.
May 6, 2020 The RAND Blog
Keep Chemical Weapons Out of Terrorist Hands
As the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front seized territory in Syria and northern Iraq, they came upon military sites with chemical munitions and industrial facilities with toxic chemicals. Reducing such opportunities should be a priority.
Sep 27, 2016 U.S. News & World Report
Syria Cease-Fire Should Ban Chemical Weapons
The United States and Russia negotiated an agreement to suspend fighting in Syria and get relief supplies to trapped civilians. They should not miss an opportunity to regularly and forcefully draw a red line on the use of toxic chemicals as weapons.
Sep 15, 2016 USA Today
Arab Spring, not Osama bin Laden's Fall, Will Determine Middle East's Fate
The unanswered question is just what will endure in the Arab world: comparatively peaceful demonstrations leading to regime change, or brutal tactics by authoritarian regimes to crush dissent and cling to power, writes John Parachini.
May 9, 2011 Christian Science Monitor
A Bottom-Up Peace in Afghanistan
The Afghan government has embarked on a high-stakes gamble: Try to negotiate with the leaders of the various insurgent networks to end the nine-year-old Afghan war, write Wali Shaaker and John Parachini.
Jul 15, 2010 Providence Journal
Rereading the Duelfer Report
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Nov 15, 2004 International Herald Tribune
Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Sep 19, 2002 Newsday
Deny Victory to Anthrax Terrorists
By keeping in mind the modest scope of the anthrax attacks and not overreacting, we deny the perpetrators of these attacks their objective of terrorizing us into doing what they want us to do. These anthrax cases do, however, highlight some areas for improvement in America's response that can help reduce fear and anxiety, thereby denying the terrorists their objective.
Oct 17, 2001 International Herald Tribune
Religion Isn't Sole Motive of Terror
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Sep 16, 2001 Los Angeles Times