Commentary and Articles

commentary

On RAND's Research Findings Regarding Transgender Military Personnel Policy
In September 2015, the Department of Defense asked RAND to initiate a study on the implications of allowing transgender personnel to serve openly. Since its publication, the research has been widely viewed as the most comprehensive and authoritative analysis on this topic. RAND stands by the study's research approach, analysis, and findings.
Mar 27, 2018
commentary

What Does Japan Think of the Iran Nuclear Deal?
What is Tokyo's view of the Iran nuclear deal and how has Tokyo responded to the U.S. threat to withdraw from it? What role is Japan, the world's third-largest economy, a major U.S. ally, and the only country ever to be attacked with nuclear weapons, likely to play in attempting to preserve, improve, or scrap the deal?
Mar 26, 2018
commentary

Red Glare: The Origin and Implications of Russia's 'New' Nuclear Weapons
Why would Russia, which has over 1,500 deployed strategic nuclear warheads that can be delivered from existing ballistic and cruise missiles, invest in new, exotic systems? The answer is deeply rooted in modern Russian and Soviet history.
Mar 26, 2018
commentary

Vietnam's Remarkable Month of Balancing Against China in the South China Sea
Vietnam in March very publicly engaged in a string of activities to strengthen deterrence against China in the South China Sea. But Hanoi's push to deepen external defense ties with states that can help its cause will not necessarily translate into greater risk-taking in the region.
Mar 26, 2018
commentary

How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?
Many proposals to improve school safety promote the use of technology, such as metal detectors and video cameras. How effective are these devices? The evidence is mixed.
Mar 26, 2018
commentary

Online Voting: The Solution to Declining Political Engagement?
The potential benefits of online voting merit a conversation across Europe about its increased use in elections. But the evidence is mixed on whether online voting actually helps increase voter turnout.
Mar 23, 2018
commentary

The Season Finale of 'This Is Us' Offers an Important Public Health Lesson
The TV series "This Is Us" shows how health is not only affected by individuals' decisions, but also by the larger contexts in which they live. These social determinants of health include income, quality of housing, and access to health care.
Mar 23, 2018
commentary

Truth Decay and the Spirit of the Law
The widening gap between how the law is expected to be (and generally is) practiced, and certain events transpiring in America's political and policymaking realms, is of increasing concern.
Mar 23, 2018
commentary

Tackling Gender-Based Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Increased poverty and major shifts in traditional gender roles for Syrian refugees have worsened interpersonal tensions, increased the risk of domestic violence, and caused challenges for aid workers.
Mar 22, 2018
commentary

Can Dirty-Air Discontent in New Delhi Push India Toward Greener Days?
The downside to India's dramatic economic growth is New Delhi's off-the-charts air pollution. Public health officials have compared the harms of breathing in India's capital to smoking dozens of cigarettes a day. How bad must things become before Indians demand change and make it stick?
Mar 22, 2018
commentary

Putin Can Learn from Gorbachev on How to Gain from Future U.S. Talks
Vladimir Putin has won a flawed election to a fourth term as Russia's president, and Donald Trump has suggested the two will likely meet soon. For the Kremlin leader, however, a summit may draw shortcomings into sharper relief. If the two presidents meet, several key issues will await them.
Mar 22, 2018
article

Paul Baran and the Origins of the Internet
RAND researcher Paul Baran developed a solution that has evolved into one of the major technological innovations of our time.
Mar 22, 2018
commentary

Revising Japan's Peace Constitution: Much Ado About Nothing
Despite Abe’s legislative majority, it is unclear whether he has enough political capital to convince the public of the need for a constitutional revision on the Self-Defense Force. Japan’s security policies are heavily constrained by legal and normative constraints and Abe’s plan would likely do little more than codify the status quo.
Mar 21, 2018
commentary

Fighting Obesity: Why Chile Should Continue Placing 'Stop Signs' on Unhealthy Foods
By instituting its innovative food warning label policies, Chile has become a beacon of light to countries around the world. The new government would do well to consider why it should maintain these policies, which in the long run will benefit business and the country as a whole.
Mar 19, 2018
commentary

The Danger of Truth Decay Across Europe
“Truth Decay” poses a threat to the health and future of democracy across Europe. With partial facts, disinformation, and incompatible versions of “the truth” competing for attention, it's more and more important for Europeans to recognize this phenomenon.
Mar 19, 2018

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Quoted

The [Israel-Hamas] war has exacerbated a divide in American politics. Historically, Israel enjoyed wide bipartisan support. That's no longer the case with more progressives and younger voters questioning this core tenet of U.S. foreign policy. The Gaza war has certainly exacerbated this shift and it's going to continue to influence the politics of American support for years to come

Raphael S. Cohen

Director, Strategy and Doctrine Program, RAND Project AIR FORCE, and Director of the Pardee RAND Graduate School National Security Program

Source: rand.org

While there have sometimes been intense policy debates, American support for Israel was historically bipartisan. Judging by the reaction to the Gaza war at many of the leading college campuses—the crucible of future leaders—Western attitudes will only further harden against Israel. Israel has an American problem that it will struggle to effectively address.

Brian Michael Jenkins

Senior Adviser to the RAND President

Source: rand.org

Preparing the Workforce for AI: Insights for Civilian and Military Leaders

China's Use of Generative AI and Social Bots

A Year After the October 7 Start of the Israel-Hamas Conflict: Q&A with RAND Experts

October 7th and the Limits of Diplomacy

The Math Equity Equation

The Policy Currents Podcast

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research

Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Commentary and Articles

On RAND's Research Findings Regarding Transgender Military Personnel Policy

What Does Japan Think of the Iran Nuclear Deal?

Red Glare: The Origin and Implications of Russia's 'New' Nuclear Weapons

Vietnam's Remarkable Month of Balancing Against China in the South China Sea

How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?

Online Voting: The Solution to Declining Political Engagement?

The Season Finale of 'This Is Us' Offers an Important Public Health Lesson

Truth Decay and the Spirit of the Law

Tackling Gender-Based Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Can Dirty-Air Discontent in New Delhi Push India Toward Greener Days?

Putin Can Learn from Gorbachev on How to Gain from Future U.S. Talks

Paul Baran and the Origins of the Internet

Revising Japan's Peace Constitution: Much Ado About Nothing

Fighting Obesity: Why Chile Should Continue Placing 'Stop Signs' on Unhealthy Foods

The Danger of Truth Decay Across Europe

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