Melissa Shostak

How China Is Building Influence Through Arms Sales

China may be using arms sales to strengthen alliances around the South China Sea and counter the United States' regional alliances. Beijing's security relationships around the South China Sea could be a harbinger of what it might replicate in Africa and possibly Latin America.

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Anticipating Flashpoints with Russia: Patterns and Drivers

The authors combined quantitative and qualitative modes of analysis to better understand and anticipate flashpoints with Russia.

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A Brief Overview of Emerging Vaccine Technologies for Pandemic Preparedness

This report characterizes trends and strategic implications associated with pandemic preparedness in the United States, China, and Russia, focusing on vaccine technologies, broad-spectrum medical countermeasures, and immunization facilitation.

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Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of the Air Force: Qualitative Review of Programs, Practices, and Partnerships

Researchers conduct a qualitative literature review and interviews with subject-matter experts to identify the Department of the Air Force's existing and planned efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in its military force.

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Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Private-Sector Organizations: A Qualitative Review of Promising Practices

Researchers reviewed academic literature and conducted interviews with private-sector organizations to identify promising practices in support of the Department of the Air Force's goal of building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.

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Mapping Chinese and Russian Military and Security Exports to Africa

RAND researchers analyzed which African countries received military arms and private military and security contractors from China and Russia in 2018-2021. This visualization maps China's and Russia's influence across Africa.

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Understanding Russian Coercive Signaling

Russia has consistently engaged in signaling activities toward the United States and its allies in recent years. The authors analyze this behavior to provide a better understanding of its drivers and practical guidelines for assessing future events.

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China's Weapons Exports and Private Security Contractors

RAND researchers provide a visualization of China's military and security influence around the world through the country's exports of weapons and private security contractors during 2018-2021.

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Implications of a Coercive Quarantine of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China

The authors examine how China might enact a quarantine of Taiwan, potential U.S. and allied responses to the crisis, and implications related to economic interdependencies and supply chain challenges.

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Security Cooperation in a Strategic Competition

In this study, RAND researchers examined the current role of security cooperation efforts as a tool in the emerging strategic competition among the United States, Russia, and China.

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Deterrence and Escalation in Competition with Russia: The Role of Ground Forces in Preventing Hostile Measures Below Armed Conflict in Europe

In this report, the authors seek to understand how the United States might use its military posture in Europe -- particularly focusing on ground forces -- as part of a strategy to deter Russian malign activities in the competition space.

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Deterrence and Escalation in Competition with Russia: Executive Summary

In this report, the authors seek to understand how the United States might use its military posture in Europe -- particularly focusing on ground forces -- as part of a strategy to deter Russian malign activities in the competition space.

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Managing Intellectual Property Relevant to Operating and Sustaining Major U.S. Air Force Weapon Systems

The authors identify opportunities to improve policy on technical data, data rights, and intellectual property associated with operating and sustaining Air Force major weapon systems.

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Data Rights Relevant to Weapon Systems in Air Force Special Operations Command

The Air Force needs better access to contractors' technical data to sustain core military aircraft assets and subsystems. For this to happen, the U.S. government needs the appropriate license rights and actual possession of the data.

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Analyzing a More Resilient National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capability

The authors assess the costs associated with realistic threats to domestic, nonmilitary uses of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and consider possible additions to the positioning, navigation, and timing ecosystem in light of those costs.