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Commentary and Articles

commentary

Ukraine May Be Winning the Information War in Kursk
Ukraine's Kursk offensive has the potential to positively influence Western perceptions, sustain funding and material support for Ukraine, and degrade Russian domestic support for the war. This strategic gamble in the information space might pay off.
Sep 11, 2024
q&a

Russia Explained: What Americans Need to Know
Among the many international issues confronting the candidates for U.S. president and the American electorate in this fall's election is the U.S. strategic posture with regard to Russia, its aggression against Ukraine, and the policies of its leader, Vladimir Putin. Two RAND experts explore a range of critical issues that will confront the next president.
Sep 9, 2024
q&a

North Korea Explained: What Americans Need to Know
The Korean Peninsula will demand a nuanced strategy from the incoming U.S. administration. Two RAND experts discuss foreign policy challenges, denuclearization, and bolstering the U.S.–South Korea alliance, as well as cybersecurity threats, economic sanctions, and human rights abuses in the region.
Sep 9, 2024
commentary

Ukraine Needs a New Storyline
Wars have simple strategic storylines. Ukraine, lacking a clear narrative, needs one to sustain Western support. The recent Kursk counteroffensive offers a reset, but Kyiv must articulate a plan.
Sep 8, 2024
commentary

Harnessing the Power of Foresight: Designing EU Policies for Unpredictable Futures
Ursula von der Leyen's re-election as European Commission President brings new priorities, including infrastructure, defense, and housing. Maintaining foresight is key for effective long-term EU policymaking but its role remains uncertain.
Sep 6, 2024
commentary

Spick and Span: How North Korea's Clean Streets Sanitize Its Image Abroad
Visitors to Pyongyang often marvel at its clean streets. This fascination highlights the regime's success in controlling the narrative and presenting an image of efficiency and purity to the outside world. But outside the capital, many areas face poor sanitation and infrastructure, revealing a stark contrast.
Sep 6, 2024
commentary

The United Kingdom Is Late to Economic Security Planning—but Not Too Late
The United Kingdom needs a cohesive economic security strategy. Integrating industrial and trade policies with safeguards, incentives, and collaboration could enhance resilience and growth, securing a stable future for the country.
Sep 6, 2024
commentary

How to Make the Most of the Kursk Gambit
Ukraine's bold incursion into Russia's Kursk region may not be enough to deliver an absolute military victory for Kyiv. However, the Kursk offensive may work to Ukraine's advantage at the negotiating table.
Sep 6, 2024
commentary

Ukraine, Kursk, and the Importance of Lines of Operation in History
Ukraine's bold incursion into Kursk mirrors historic tactics using interior lines. To withstand Russia's response, Ukraine must consolidate forces, leveraging the rapid reinforcement and supply advantages interior lines provide.
Sep 6, 2024
commentary

Book Review: 'Command' by Lawrence Freedman
Lawrence Freedman's Command explores the political aspects of military operations since World War II, focusing on the inherent challenges of command. It highlights three key dichotomies in shaping military command: politicians versus generals, delegation versus control, and obedience versus initiative.
Sep 4, 2024
commentary

The Gulf of Thailand May Be the Next U.S.-China Flashpoint
Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States have escalated in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, raising fears of war. The Gulf of Thailand has remained relatively calm, but that may change as Beijing undertakes controversial projects that could inflame the region.
Sep 3, 2024
q&a

Equity and Social Policy: Q&A with Jessica Welburn Paige
Jessica Welburn Paige, a behavioral and social scientist, focuses on questions of race and inequality. In this interview, she discusses how AI programs being used to monitor students for suicide risk could compromise student privacy and harm vulnerable students.
Sep 3, 2024
commentary

The State of Public Education in 2024 in Five Charts
Every year RAND sends more than a dozen surveys to members of the American Educator Panels to keep tabs on what is happening in classrooms around the country. When we looked back on the last 12 months of reports based on our surveys, these are the findings that told us the most about the state of American public schools.
Aug 30, 2024
q&a

Forecasting Like a Pro: Q&A with Jordan Despanie
Jordan Despanie is a technology and security policy fellow at RAND with interests spanning biosecurity, artificial intelligence, open-source intelligence, and foreign policy. The RAND Forecasting Initiative asked him to share insights on how he achieved top-tier forecaster status to inform its approach toward recruiting and training forecasters across RAND.
Aug 29, 2024
article

Social Media Manipulation in the Era of AI
AI has opened a potential propaganda gold mine. Large language models like ChatGPT can learn to mimic human speech. They can respond to jokes and cultural references and engage users in debates. Social media platforms should redouble their efforts to identify, attribute, and remove fake accounts.
Aug 29, 2024

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