The RAND Blog

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The American Rescue Plan Is a Chance to Support Students with Disabilities. Here Are Some Investments Worth Considering

National surveys of K–12 teachers provide insight into challenges for effectively educating students with disabilities during the pandemic and beyond. Understanding these challenges can help identify important funding options to address gaps.

Laura Stelitano, Melissa Kay Diliberti, et al.

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American Views on COVID-19 Health Risks, School and Economy Reopening

Much of the discussion about opening schools and the economy has focused on the educational and economic effects that closures may have on the most vulnerable groups. But some of these groups still remain wary of the increased health risks of opening.

Katherine Grace Carman, Anita Chandra, et al.

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America Could Do More to Get the World Vaccinated

After waging its own withering battle with COVID-19, the United States appears to be coming to grips with the pandemic and its economy is recovering. Now could be the time for America to play a greater role in global vaccination, both out of generosity and self-interest.

Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_

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Infrastructure Investment for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides health care to over 9 million veterans through its network of medical facilities. Improved infrastructure could help attract veterans to care, boost provider morale, and ensure high-quality care.

Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand

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The Power of Invention—and the Value of Diversity and Inclusion

Inventions benefit society and improve lives. Their economic impacts show the value of investing in more young people and their opportunities for learning. Policymakers could support programs that encourage more women, racial/ethnic minorities, and people from lower-income families to become inventors.

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Biden Should Consider Downsides of Stressing National Values in Indo-Pacific

The Biden administration has argued that the United States must strengthen its Indo-Pacific alliances and partnerships to compete more successfully with China. Will Washington prioritize national interests or national values?

Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

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Policing in the Post-Floyd Era

Calls to reform, reimagine, or disband the police can be seen as existential threats. But they present opportunities for progressive change that can work to the advantage of law enforcement.

Bob Harrison

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Nuclear Ban Treaty Offers Rare Chance for Japan

As the only country to suffer the horrors of wartime atomic bombings, one would assume Japan would eagerly sign any treaty to ban such weapons. Why hasn't Japan signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which took effect in January 2021?

Sayuri Romei

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Australia Contained COVID-19 Early On. Can It Do the Same with Synthetic Opioids?

Australia is at risk of a fentanyl problem, but it is better prepared than North America. If the country can make the same kind of concerted effort it did to keep COVID-19 at bay, that could save thousands of lives.

Bryce Pardo, Shann Hulme, et al.

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COVID-19 Disinformation, Biden's Address, Leaving Afghanistan: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Russian and Chinese campaigns to spread malign and subversive information on COVID-19, President Biden's address to Congress, the planned U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and more.

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China's Disappeared Uyghurs: What Satellite Images Reveal

At least one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have vanished into a sprawling network of camps and prisons in China's far west. Satellite images show brightly lit compounds, wall after wall of barbed wire, and a sudden rush to build what appear to be fortified preschools.

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President Biden's First Address to Congress: Insights from RAND

President Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress, summarizing his administration's early COVID-19 response and outlining plans that aim to loosen the pandemic's year-long grip on a weary nation. The speech reflected the fact that the United States faces policy challenges across a wide range of domains.

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Will Russia's Risk-Aversion Keep It Away from Ukraine?

Russia could blunder in Ukraine as Soviet rulers did in Afghanistan. Unlike then, however, a new Russian thrust into Ukraine could lead to early, heavy casualties. This could quickly bring home to the Kremlin the political costs of any incursion.

William Courtney @courtneywmh

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Biden's Child Tax Credit Will Bring Lifetime of Improvement

The American Rescue Plan is expected to cut child poverty in the United States by more than 40 percent. The benefits are important to families today and could be compounded over the hundred years these children are expected to live.

Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Andrew R. Hoehn @AndyHoehn, et al.

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If You Build Automated Vehicles, Will Older Adults Come?

Whether older adults benefit from autonomous vehicles may hinge on taking explicit steps. Lessons can be learned from experiences with other technologies.

Laura Fraade-Blanar, Marjory S. Blumenthal @MarjorySB, et al.