The RAND Blog

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Chinese-Iranian Ties in the Face of the Nuclear Crisis

The U.S. effort to isolate and pressure Iran in order to extract concessions on the nuclear program faces a significant vulnerability: the ties between Iran and the People’s Republic of China, says Alireza Nader.

Alireza Nader

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We Need a Public-Private Approach to Supporting Veterans

Honoring the sacrifices of veterans should be front and center on our policy agenda and not limited to one day a year, says Terri Tanielian.

Terri Tanielian

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What Louisiana Can Teach New York and New Jersey

The massive damage and disruption caused by “Super Storm” Sandy has created a rare moment when New York City, New Jersey and surrounding areas are singularly focused on the infrastructure they need in a changing environment – not just the infrastructure they already have thanks to the vision and investments of past generations.

Debra Knopman, Jordan R. Fischbach, et al.

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RAND Research for Military Family Month

RAND is a resource for research and policy recommendations that address the challenges faced by military members, spouses, and their children.

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U.S. President Can Sustain Peace with China, Through Deterrence

The steady growth of China's military power raises important questions about the role that the next U.S. president should play in either containing China, cooperating with China, or trying to strike a balance between containment and cooperation, write James Dobbins and Roger Cliff.

James Dobbins, Roger Cliff

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Two Unspoken Issues in the Presidential Energy Debate

Both candidates glossed over two issues: the myth that independence from imported oil will reduce gasoline prices and the policies that will be needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and temper climate change, writes Keith Crane. 

Keith Crane

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The National Security Consensus

Today American public opinion is much less divided on international issues than it was four years ago. The two presidential candidates are much closer in their expressed views than were Obama and McCain, writes James Dobbins.

James Dobbins

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U.S. Role in Kirkuk Could Promote Peace, Prevent Conflict in Northern Iraq

No matter which presidential candidate occupies the White House in January, he should make a concerted effort to address Iraq's most combustible hotspot: the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, writes Larry Hanauer.

Larry Hanauer

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Immigration Needs a Hybrid Fix

Is there a way out of the dilemma? I think there is: a simultaneous combination of a pathway to citizenship for most undocumented immigrants already here and a serious commitment to enforce the law without ambiguity in the future, writes James P. Smith.

James P. Smith

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The Paradoxes of China

China is rife with paradoxes...of class, foreign aid, military spending, and corruption. Whether and how they are resolved will seriously affect the evolution of policies within China, as well as its future relations with the United States, writes Charles Wolf, Jr.

Charles Wolf, Jr.

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In Wake of Hurricane Sandy, Look to Louisiana for Lessons

Just as public agencies across the country conducted terrorism risk assessments in the wake of 9/11, a comprehensive infrastructure assessment may be in order to understand natural hazard risks and the potential exacerbating effects of climate change, write Gary Cecchine, David Groves, and Jordan Fischbach.

Gary Cecchine @GaryCecchine, David G. Groves, et al.

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Helping Displaced Students in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

If Hurricane Sandy causes extensive disruptions in public schools—particularly in hard-hit New York City—our research shows that choices made by parents and policymakers could significantly limit the negative short-term effects of changing schools under such difficult circumstances, writes John Pane.

John F. Pane @JohnFPane

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Russian Nuclear Exercises Display Putin's Misguided Priorities

By ignoring the country's real needs in favor of prestige-focused military spending Putin seems to run the risk of exacerbating public discontent rather than reassuring Russians of their global importance, writes Olga Oliker.

Olga Oliker

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The Insight of Twitter

Exploring how people use social media has provided useful insight into public opinion. This insight may be particularly valuable in countries where freedom of expression may be limited, for whom social media may serve as an important outlet, writes Douglas Yeung.

Douglas Yeung @DouglasCYeung

announcement

Titus Galama Wins Independent Scientist Award from the National Institute on Aging

RAND economist and PRGS professor Titus Galama has received the Independent Scientist Award from the National Institute on Aging.