The RAND Blog

commentary

Book Review: Elizabeth Economy's The Third Revolution

The United States' attitude towards China is undergoing a significant recalibration, perhaps the most fundamental since Beijing's crackdown at Tiananmen Square almost three decades ago. Harnessing its resurgence while tempering its revisionism will likely be Washington's most vexing long-term policy challenge.

Ali Wyne

commentary

Military Mobility Returns to the Forefront in Europe

The importance of military mobility has returned only recently to the international high-level agenda, specifically NATO and the European Union. The EU is expected to tackle the issue of military mobility during a European Council meeting in late June, and NATO will convene a summit in July.

Marta Kepe @martakepe

commentary

Potential Changes to Paternity and Parental Leave in Europe

Fathers' involvement in child care has considerable benefits for their children, mothers, employers, and themselves. Paternity and parental leave are important, but pay, flexibility, and eligibility remain significant barriers to uptake by fathers across Europe.

Barbara Janta

commentary

Restoring Asylum Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence

Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded asylum protections earlier this month for victims of domestic violence. The decision and the supporting analysis goes against decades of research on violence against women. Congress could reverse the decision by amending the asylum law.

Douglas C. Ligor @DougLigor, Lisa H. Jaycox

commentary

Afghan Ceasefires Offer Hope for a Peaceful Future

Parallel ceasefires in Afghanistan by the Afghan government and the Taliban for the end of the holy month of Ramadan brought a short respite from the violence. This was an unprecedented development, but was it an opening for resolution of the conflict?

Laurel E. Miller

commentary

We Need a New International Order. Here's Why

The postwar, rule-based international order is under unprecedented strain. The U.S. predominance so characteristic of the current order must give way to a more multilateral system, one that takes seriously the sometimes-differing perspectives of other major powers.

Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr

commentary

Without Reform and Cooperation with China, the International System Cannot Hold

No rule-based international order can survive without Chinese support. Reforms are needed to address Beijing's concerns and provide it with a continued stake in the order. The trick is to decide where compromise is acceptable for U.S. interests and to draw clear lines around principles where it is not.

Timothy R. Heath, Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr

commentary

Getting Doctors to Make Better Decisions Will Take More than Money and Nudges

While monetary incentives and behavioral nudges both have their strengths, neither is enough to reliably change clinician behavior and improve quality of care. Organizational culture provides another important lens to understand why clinicians are practicing in a certain way and to put forth more comprehensive, long-term solutions.

Yusuke Tsugawa, John N. Mafi

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The Need for Superpowers to Embrace a Vision of World Affairs

A superpower promotes a conception of world affairs that attracts others, enabling it to advance its objectives and amplify its values far more than it could on its own. Washington has a significant edge over Beijing in this regard.

Ali Wyne

q&a

A Way Forward in Afghanistan: Q&A with Laurel Miller

As the United States approaches its 17th year of military involvement in Afghanistan, Laurel Miller, a senior foreign policy expert at RAND, describes the current situation and hopes for the future.

commentary

In Reckoning with Today's Truth Wars, Look to America's Past

The declining regard for factual evidence may be a defining characteristic of our current age. Previous eras suggest it is within society's power to restore respect for objective facts. Humankind just needs to put it on the agenda.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich, Jennifer Kavanagh

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What If Autonomous Vehicles Actually Make Us More Dependent on Cars?

Cities across Europe are taking steps to become increasingly car free. Mayors, supported by their officials and planners, should start leading a debate now about how self-driving vehicles can best serve the needs of residents and visitors, and help deliver wider goals for their cities.

Mark Kleinman, Charlene Rohr

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Politics in India—Not Business as Usual

India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has suffered recent, self-inflicted electoral setbacks. But it is still the best-organized and richest political party in the country. Can opposing alliances defeat the BJP?

Rafiq Dossani

commentary

Toy Drones and Twitter: The Ability of Individuals to Wreak Large-Scale Havoc

Lone wolves or small groups could use drones, virtual currencies, encrypted communications, and artificial intelligence for nefarious purposes. The threat is even greater when these technologies are used in conjunction with disinformation spread over social media.

Colin P. Clarke

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Why Children Need to Be Shielded from Marijuana Ads

By design, advertising is aimed at persuading us to want something. In the case of marijuana, that something is definitely not good for teenagers.

Elizabeth J. D'Amico