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The RAND Blog

Russia
commentary
The West Must Do Far More to Keep Putin at Bay
William Courtney @courtneywmh, David A. Shlapak
Aug 27, 2016
Newsweek
Russia is more willing than the West to use military power, even though it has less of it. The West should reconsider whether its efforts to deter Russian military interference are enough.
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Veterans Employment
commentary
From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Transferring Veterans' Skills to the Civilian Labor Market
Kimberly Curry Hall
Aug 26, 2016
The RAND Blog
The number of returning veterans is expected to grow to 4.2 million over the next decade. This robust talent pool can be an asset to the civilian workforce. Investments in translating veterans' skills, certification and licensing, and comprehensive career counseling can improve this transition.
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Science and Technology
commentary
'Star Trek' at 50: How the TV Series Inspired a Boy to Become a Scientist
William Marcellino
Aug 26, 2016
Los Angeles Times
William Marcellino discusses how “Star Trek” convinced him at an early age that science and the advancement of human knowledge could make the world a better place.
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Terrorist Organizations
commentary
Why Syria's War May Be About to Get Even Worse
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, Chad C. Serena
Aug 25, 2016
Reuters
Whether or not Jabhat Fateh al-Sham's new name means a genuine break from its parent organization al Qaeda, the mere rebranding could prolong Syria's civil war. The worst-case scenario is that the group could embed itself within the rebel opposition in Syria the way Hezbollah did in Lebanon.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Living Longer, Working Longer
Michael D. Hurd, Susann Rohwedder
Aug 25, 2016
The RAND Blog
When people live longer, the costs of Social Security and Medicare increase and threaten the sustainability of these programs. Households also worry about how to finance more retirement years. But people are working longer, and if they continue to do so, they will reduce some of the problems.
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Vocational Education
commentary
Getting Technical: Preparing High School Students for the Workforce America Needs
Gabriella C. Gonzalez @GabCGonzalez, Robert Bozick
Aug 25, 2016
The Hill
Fields such as computers, engineering, and health care are expected to grow. Employers and policymakers have a vested interest in ensuring that America's high schoolers are ready to meet future employment needs. Access to high-quality career and technical education programs is key.
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Cybercrime
commentary
The Future of Cyber Investigations at the FBI Is Unclear
Sasha Romanosky, Cortney Weinbaum @cortney_dc
Aug 24, 2016
Inside Sources
Evidence presented by the FBI in the case of U.S. v. Jay Michaud was excluded because the agency was unwilling to reveal the software exploit used to collect it. If the FBI exposes its capabilities, other criminals can patch their computers, but concealing its techniques risks the ability to prosecute cyber criminals.
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Turkey
commentary
What Erdogan and Khomeini Have in Common
Alireza Nader
Aug 24, 2016
Foreign Policy
The analogy between Islamist Iran and a possibly soon-to-be Islamist Turkey is not perfect. But there are striking similarities between the state of affairs in Turkey today and the 1979 revolution in Iran that established the Islamic Republic.
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Technical Professions
commentary
Back to Work: Middle-Skill Jobs in the STEM Economy
Gabriella C. Gonzalez @GabCGonzalez, Robert Bozick
Aug 24, 2016
The RAND Blog
The STEM economy will grow by 17 percent through 2018, with expected job vacancies totaling 2.4 million. Middle-skill STEM jobs—such as computer support specialists, web developers, and engineering technicians—are in the highest demand.
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Globalization
commentary
Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses
Lynn A. Karoly, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Aug 23, 2016
The RAND Blog
Three trends have important implications for the future of work: a shifting demography toward older workers, more women, and more diversity; continuing technological change that will increase the demand for skilled workers; and increased globalization.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
Demystifying the Islamic State
Andrew Liepman, Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Aug 23, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
To counter the threat posed by the Islamic State group, it is crucial to understand what the terrorist organization is and what it is not. Attributing all jihadist violence to a ruthless gang headquartered in Raqqa exaggerates the power of the group and plays into their propaganda and recruiting efforts.
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Counterterrorism
commentary
President Obama's Controversial Legacy as Counterterrorism-in-Chief
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Aug 22, 2016
The Mark News
There were no attacks like 9/11 during Obama's eight years in office. But there were plenty of terrorist adversaries. While he will be judged in part for his domestic achievements, Obama's counterterrorism choices are a major part of his legacy.
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Al Qaida
commentary
A Persistent and Resilient Adversary: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Aug 22, 2016
The Cipher Brief
The history of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula catalogues every dimension of frustration in combatting terrorism. But is it possible that the United States and its Gulf allies are finally getting the measure of AQAP?
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Labor Day Blog Series: American Worker
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Robert Bozick, Joy S. Moini
Aug 22, 2016
The RAND Blog
To celebrate Labor Day, the American Worker series of commentaries offers research, reflections, and policy insights on a variety of topics that affect American workers.
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Marijuana
commentary
Promises and Pitfalls of Cannabis Taxes
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer
Aug 22, 2016
San Francisco Chronicle
Setting the cannabis tax should not be considered a one-time event. Smart jurisdictions will revise their decisions over time to incorporate new data about taxes, testing, and the cannabis plant itself — without being influenced by those seeking to maximize profits.
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