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Journalism, U.S.–Iranian Tensions, School Reform: RAND Weekly Recap
May 17, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on how the news has changed in the digital age, rising U.S.–Iranian tensions, how educators feel about school improvement plans, and more.
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China
commentary
Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 15, 2019
The Diplomat
China's last major war experience gave it virtually zero lessons to apply to future armed conflict. At some point the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will need to test its new capabilities and the training it has honed over time. There are at least three reasons why Vietnam is likely in the PLA's crosshairs.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
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We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria
Fiona Greenland, Oya Topçuoğlu, Tasha Vorderstrasse, James V. Marrone
May 15, 2019
The Conversation
During the Islamic State's rise, looted artifacts were said to be a significant source of income for the group. But no one had identified the value, using empirical data and systematic calculations, of the artifacts that were known to exist in Syria's archaeological sites. Until now.
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The Internet
blog
RAND's Analysis of News in the Digital Age: Three Takeaways
May 14, 2019
How has the rise of digital technology shaped the way that news is presented? RAND researchers conducted an empirical study to find out. Here's what you need to know from their findings.
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China
commentary
Getting to Know the Competition
Cortez A. Cooper III
May 13, 2019
RealClearDefense
Americans are facing a new reality in global great power relations that will define the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy for the foreseeable future. Understanding China's threat perceptions, while remaining clear-eyed regarding differences in objectives, is essential to developing strategies to deter conflict.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
What Ronald Reagan Can Teach Us About Dealing with Contemporary Russia
Raphael S. Cohen, James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
May 13, 2019
Lawfare
Politics loves its historical analogies and today, perhaps, there is no more common a comparison to the Trump presidency than the Reagan administration. Reagan's tenure was marked by his successful competition with the Soviet Union. Does Reagan provide a blueprint for triumphing over modern Russia?
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The Internet
commentary
Three 'New Rules' Worth Considering for the Internet
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
May 10, 2019
TechCrunch
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has called for new internet regulation starting in four areas: harmful content, election integrity, privacy, and data portability. But why stop there? His proposal could be expanded to include much more: security-by-design, net worthiness, and updated internet business models.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Can Anyone Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Now?
Ariane M. Tabatabai
May 10, 2019
New York Times
Europe faces mounting pressure from both Tehran and Washington regarding the Iran nuclear deal. European countries could take steps to signal their commitment to upholding the deal, but doing so may alienate the United States.
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Suicide Attack
blog
Hospital Prices, Border Solutions, Sri Lanka: RAND Weekly Recap
May 10, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on hospital prices, common-sense solutions to the border crisis, myths about the Sri Lanka attacks, and more.
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Iran
commentary
U.S., Iran Must Both Tread Lightly with Tensions Running So High
Ariane M. Tabatabai, Becca Wasser
May 9, 2019
The Hill
Tensions between the United States and Iran have increased, raising concerns that they may be headed for war. But conflict is not inevitable. The United States and Iran could seek to re-establish communications channels, as well as look for available off-ramps to de-escalate tensions and keep the slightest misstep from spiraling into an all-out conflict.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Addressing the College Completion Problem
Lindsay Daugherty
May 9, 2019
The RAND Blog
More than half of students who enter college end up dropping out without ever completing a degree or certificate. Time and money are wasted without the benefits of a degree. While colleges are experimenting with novel techniques to boost completion rates, strategic support from the federal government could further these efforts.
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Urban Warfare
commentary
Urban Legend: Is Combat in Cities Really Inevitable?
David E. Johnson @DaveJohnsonDC
May 7, 2019
War on the Rocks
Future combat will take place in dense urban areas and likely in megacities. These are the new “truths” that are taking hold in the U.S. military. But before going all-in on optimizing for urban operations, the U.S. military should take a deep breath and think carefully about future operations within the context of the National Defense Strategy.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
Baghdadi Resurfaces: What It Means for ISIS's Global Terror Campaign
Colin P. Clarke
May 6, 2019
Los Angeles Times
With last week's release of a video of Abu Bakr Baghdadi, ISIS showed that it's still got some life left—literally. The most important message to take away from the Baghdadi video may be that the Islamic State does not need territory to survive and even thrive.
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Terrorist Bombings
commentary
Sri Lanka's Easter Attacks: Dismantling Myths to Prevent the Next Attack
Jonah Blank
May 6, 2019
Fox News Channel
On Easter Sunday, suicide bombers hit six locations across Sri Lanka, killing more than 250 people. Even before ISIS claimed responsibility, there was no obvious connection to the quarter-century of violence that afflicted the nation until 2009. It is worth dismantling a few myths that might prevent better preparation for future attacks.
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Japan
commentary
With Little Fanfare, Japan Just Changed the Way It Uses Its Military
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 3, 2019
Foreign Policy
In early April, Japan deployed its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) abroad to join a multinational force not connected to the United Nations. This is the first time that SDF personnel will participate in overseas peacekeeping operations not under UN control. The difference may not seem important, but it is.
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Page 91 of 703

…

Quoted

The very fact that Russia felt the need to resort to overt, large-scale conventional force in Ukraine—despite years of operating there in the gray zone—demonstrates that at least in Russian president Vladimir Putin's mind, these ambiguous uses of force in Ukraine failed to achieve their desired ends.

Raphael S. Cohen

Director, Strategy and Doctrine Program, RAND Project AIR FORCE

Source: The National Interest

Centering Putin's interests and catering to his emotional state violates a fundamental bargaining precept: Never negotiate against yourself. To be clear, it's good to understand your opponent's perspective. But first, negotiate for your interests, not for theirs. Second, learn what they really want before offering concessions. Third, make sure they can actually deliver.

Raymond Kuo

Political Scientist

Source: RealClearDefense

Giving Drug Policy Decisionmakers the Data They Need

How Available and Accessible Are Mental Health Services in NYC?

Synthetic Opioids, Ukrainian Grain, the Metaverse: RAND Weekly Recap

Should Ukraine Settle with Russia?

RAND Remote: Informing Innovative Policy Solutions to Address L.A.'s Dual Crises

The Policy Currents Podcast

Improving Psychological Wellbeing and Work Outcomes in the UK

Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Planning for the Rising Costs of Dementia

The RAND Blog

Journalism, U.S.–Iranian Tensions, School Reform: RAND Weekly Recap

Vietnam Is the Chinese Military's Preferred Warm-Up Fight

We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria

RAND's Analysis of News in the Digital Age: Three Takeaways

Getting to Know the Competition

What Ronald Reagan Can Teach Us About Dealing with Contemporary Russia

Three 'New Rules' Worth Considering for the Internet

Can Anyone Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Now?

Hospital Prices, Border Solutions, Sri Lanka: RAND Weekly Recap

U.S., Iran Must Both Tread Lightly with Tensions Running So High

Addressing the College Completion Problem

Urban Legend: Is Combat in Cities Really Inevitable?

Baghdadi Resurfaces: What It Means for ISIS's Global Terror Campaign

Sri Lanka's Easter Attacks: Dismantling Myths to Prevent the Next Attack

With Little Fanfare, Japan Just Changed the Way It Uses Its Military

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