A 'Glass Half-Full': Next Steps for Enhancing Deterrence on NATO's Eastern Flank
The United States and key allies have taken steps toward redressing the imbalance in military power between NATO and Russia in Northeastern Europe. But NATO's defense planners must be clear-eyed about what remains to be done.
Feb 12, 2018 The RAND Blog
Rethinking the Unthinkable: Recovering from a Nuclear Attack on a U.S. City
Responding after a nuclear attack will require having planned and prepared for problems that are very different than those encountered after hurricanes and earthquakes. U.S. cities are inadequately prepared to handle a disaster of this magnitude.
Nov 7, 2017 Dallas Morning News
The Made-in-America Global Security and Economic System Still Serves U.S. Interests
The next U.S. president will have many willing partners and an opportunity to expand the global system of security and economic institutions in a way that will help the United States and the world for decades.
Oct 26, 2016 The Cleveland Plain Dealer
The West Must Do Far More to Keep Putin at Bay
Russia is more willing than the West to use military power, even though it has less of it. The West should reconsider whether its efforts to deter Russian military interference are enough.
Aug 27, 2016 Newsweek
Gaming and Public Policy: Q&A with David Shlapak
David Shlapak discusses how using games in research can help improve decisionmaking across a wide range of areas, including national security, health care, and climate change.
Aug 11, 2016
In Defense of a Wargame: Bolstering Deterrence on NATO's Eastern Flank
A series of wargames examined the potential results of a Russian invasion of the Baltic states. While such an invasion appears unlikely, its consequences would be so dangerous that not taking steps to deter it more robustly would be imprudent.
Jun 14, 2016 War on the Rocks
Outnumbered, Outranged, and Outgunned: How Russia Defeats NATO
Today NATO is outnumbered, outranged, and outgunned by Russia in Europe and beset by a number of compounding factors that make the situation worse. But it is possible to begin restoring a more robust deterrent posture and to do so at a price tag that appears affordable.
Apr 21, 2016 War on the Rocks
Gaming the System: Obstacles to Reinvigorating Defense Wargaming
Reinvigorating wargaming in the defense community offers great potential value given the complex strategic situation that the U.S. faces today. DoD should educate sponsors and consumers about the appropriate use of wargames, set realistic expectations, and build the right amount of risk acceptance into its gaming enterprise.
Feb 18, 2016 War on the Rocks
Destroy ISIL's Heavy Weapons and Vehicles: Level the Playing Field
More than any other option, employing air power decisively to deny ISIL the ability to use its armor and artillery has the potential to immediately and dramatically shift the battlefield balance against it.
Oct 20, 2014 War on the Rocks
A Dispatch from the Ukrainian Front
If Putin sought advice about what NATO is thinking, his Russian Western Front Military commander might say that given its current political indecisiveness and lack of military readiness, NATO lacks the capability to launch a credible intervention, but they should watch for changes in the alliance posture.
Sep 5, 2014 U.S. News & World Report
Russia Is Outmanned and Outgunned
Despite the smaller number of U.S. troops in Europe, the military balance there is far more favorable to NATO today than it was when nearly 10 times as many American soldiers, sailors and airmen were stationed on the continent.
Apr 10, 2014 U.S. News & World Report
America's Delicate Dance in the Pacific
Even if Japan and China ease the tensions in their dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyus islands, the United States should gird itself for further uncomfortable contingencies in the coming years, writes David Shlapak.
Mar 28, 2013 U.S. News & World Report
America's Long Wars
Published commentary by RAND staff: America's Long Wars, in United Press International.
Feb 1, 2007 United Press International