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The RAND Blog

Al Qaida
commentary
How Terrorist Groups Learn: Implications for al Qaeda
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Mar 14, 2019
Foreign Policy Research Institute
With the Islamic State losing the last of its territory, the global jihadist movement is now entering a new phase. The question on the minds of many is whether al Qaeda will be able to capitalize upon the moment and reclaim the dominant position as the most capable Sunni jihadist terrorist organization.
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Substance Use Harm Reduction
commentary
Addressing Federal Conflicts Over Supervised Drug Consumption Sites
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer, Bryce Pardo @brycepardo
Mar 14, 2019
The Hill
With drug overdose deaths mounting, some American cities are trying to create designated spaces where people who use heroin and other drugs can have their consumption supervised by medical professionals. The Department of Justice argues these sites would violate federal law, but federal decisionmakers have several options.
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Information Operations
commentary
Is It Time to Abandon the Term Information Operations?
Christopher Paul
Mar 13, 2019
Strategy Bridge
Operations in the information environment will be a critical part of future joint force operations and should be baked in to those operations as a fully valued tool in commanders' combined arms toolboxes. Reaching that goal will require greater acceptance and understanding of information across the joint force, new structures for information forces, and the evolution of how operations in the information environment are handled within the staff.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Where Do U.S.-North Korea Relations Go in the Aftermath of the Hanoi Summit?
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Mar 13, 2019
The National Interest
If Kim Jong-un is sincere about denuclearization, it is time for him to match his words with actions. If North Korea's nuclearization continues, the U.S. government may eventually face some pressure to take military action to stop it.
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North Korea
commentary
After the Hanoi Summit
Naoko Aoki @naokoaoki
Mar 13, 2019
The National Interest
The best-case scenario for U.S.-North Korea relations is that President Trump and Kim Jong-un remain committed to diplomacy. In the worst-case scenario, both countries' frustrations could spiral out of control.
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North Korea
commentary
The Hidden Components of the North Korean Military Challenge
Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr, Gian Gentile
Mar 12, 2019
The National Interest
In an era of global competition in which U.S. military resources are stretched thin, the United States should consider looking for opportunities to scale back potential overcommitment. The current inter-Korean dialogue presents such an opportunity.
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Water Supply
commentary
Increasing Groundwater Reliance in L.A. County Means Dealing with Extensive Contamination
Alexandra Huttinger, Michelle E. Miro, Miriam Elizabeth Marlier
Mar 12, 2019
The RAND Blog
As the Los Angeles region increases its reliance on groundwater sources to become more resilient in the face of drought and to reduce demand for imported water sources, advances in the information available on groundwater quality and contamination could help community water systems avoid health hazards and better ensure a safe drinking water supply.
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Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy
commentary
How to Design a Research Funder
Catriona Manville @CMManville, Catherine A. Lichten
Mar 11, 2019
Research Fortnight
Emerging challenges are leading to an increased emphasis on the impact of research beyond academia. At the same time, funders must adapt to changing expectations about what research can and should deliver, financial austerity, and developments in the topics and methods of research.
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Capacity Building
commentary
Building a Capacity Framework for U.S. City Diplomacy
Jay Wang, Sohaela Amiri
Mar 11, 2019
USC Center on Public Diplomacy
As U.S. cities are home to two thirds of the population, the practice of city diplomacy has become essential for local communities to thrive in a globalized society. What are the necessary skills, capabilities, and resources required to craft an effective global engagement strategy?
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Afghanistan
commentary
Trump's Latest Move on Afghanistan Is a Repeat of Obama's
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Mar 11, 2019
The Hill
So far, both Presidents Obama and Trump have chosen “not to lose” in Afghanistan. As time goes on and the American public's patience grows shorter, this choice becomes more difficult.
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Refugees
commentary
Jobs Can Improve the Lives of Syrian Refugees and Their Host Communities—and Support Stability in the Middle East
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Mar 11, 2019
Foreign Policy
Host governments, international development agencies, and donor countries like the United States could take several steps to improve Syrian refugee employment. This would increase self-reliance among Syrian refugees and ease pressures on host communities.
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China
commentary
Managing U.S. Military-to-Military Relations with China, a Strategic Competitor in an Era of Renewed Great Power Competition
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Mar 8, 2019
ChinaFile
The United States National Security Strategy describes a return of great power rivalry with China as the leading challenger, and the National Defense Strategy prioritizes strategic competition. What are the implications for U.S.-China military-to-military relations?
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Cybersecurity
commentary
Public Evidence of Huawei as a Cyber Threat May Be Elusive, but Restrictions Could Still Be Warranted
Timothy R. Heath
Mar 7, 2019
The Hill
Although a “smoking gun” of Huawei involvement in government-directed espionage remains elusive, the United States has compelling security and economic reasons to consider limiting the involvement of Chinese telecommunications companies in its domestic networks.
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Military Intelligence
blog
Roberta Wohlstetter: A Military Analyst Ahead of Her Time
Mar 7, 2019
RAND researcher Roberta Wohlstetter is known for her theory about why the attack on Pearl Harbor took the United States by surprise. Her book was later used as a lens for analyzing the Cuban Missile Crisis and the 2001 terrorist attacks.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
Hadrian's Wall Was a Policy Statement; So Is Donald Trump's
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Mar 6, 2019
United Press International
It's not clear if Hadrian's Wall was necessary to prevent Scottish fighters from invading the Roman Empire. Neither is it clear how effective Trump's wall would be at repelling undocumented immigration and smugglers. Hadrian's Wall may have been of symbolic value to those on both sides of it. Trump's could be, too.
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