RAND >

International Affairs

Afghanistan
commentary
Trump's Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Jun 23, 2017
The Cipher Brief
The Trump administration faces the choice of losing quickly by withdrawing from Afghanistan; losing slowly by staying at the current, inadequate levels of commitment; or not losing by increasing that commitment enough to maintain a stalemate on the battlefield.
Read More »

Security Cooperation
commentary
The U.S.-France Dustup Over Counterterrorism in the Sahel
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Jun 23, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
It's time for Paris and Washington to get together with the G5 nations of the Sahel and draft a strategy for achieving shared objectives. The French cannot do it alone or even with the support of the G5 nations. The U.S. would be penny wise but pound foolish to stay aloof or even just uphold the status quo.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
How China Could Truly Rein in North Korea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Jun 20, 2017
The Cipher Brief
China has key pressure points at its disposal to help deter North Korea from nuclear activities. It could cut off oil supplies or limit other trade, or crack down on illicit finance networks as many of the banks laundering money for the regime are in China. It could also stop shielding Pyongyang at the UN.
Read More »
Counterterrorism
commentary
Can We Predict Where Terrorists Will Strike Next?
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Jun 19, 2017
Newsweek
Terrorism has escalated horizontally, not vertically. Instead of weapons of mass destruction, there has been a proliferation of low-level attacks. The trick will be to predict and prevent new plots.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
U.S. Interests and World Community
Michael J. Mazarr
Jun 14, 2017
The Cipher Brief
Evidence shows that many countries consider themselves part of an emerging global community. This represents America's most potent competitive advantage. U.S. strategy is stronger when it works to reflect and build such a community.
Read More »
Japan
commentary
Japan's Mistaken South Sudan Withdrawal
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Jun 8, 2017
The Diplomat
Being a proactive contributor to peace involves risk if a country is serious about gaining real-world experience. Pulling out of South Sudan deprives Japan's Self-Defense Force of crucial operational experience and sends a confusing message to the United States and the international community.
Read More »
North Korea
blog
Conversations at RAND: Bruce W. Bennett on Security Tensions in Northeast Asia
Jun 8, 2017
The increasing tempo of developments in North Korea is of growing concern not only to South Korea but also to the U.S., Japan, and even China. At a RAND event, senior researcher Bruce Bennett discussed how complex the situation is and what options the U.S. has going forward.
Read More »
North Korea
commentary
End the Korean War, Finally
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey W. Hornung
Jun 8, 2017
New York Times
The North Koreans want a declaration of peace as reassurance that they won't be attacked and as recognition that their country is a sovereign state and legitimate power. A peace agreement is most likely a necessary element to any resolution of the North Korean nuclear challenge.
Read More »
Information Operations
commentary
NATO: Prepared for Countering Disinformation Operations in the Baltic States?
Marta Kepe @martakepe
Jun 7, 2017
European Geostrategy
NATO alliance countries deploying to the Baltics should prepare to deal with increasing levels of disinformation. An open and robust communication strategy could be crucial in tackling a sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting support for these deployments.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
Time for Quiet Diplomacy, Not Taking Sides
Dalia Dassa Kaye @dassakaye, Jeffrey Martini
Jun 7, 2017
The National Interest
Disputes within the Gulf Cooperation Council are inevitable given differing threat perceptions and political interests, but there is no reason for the U.S. to pursue policies that aggravate the differences and risk fueling greater instability. Instead, Washington could assure both sides that it will support any agreement they reach.
Read More »
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Countering the Islamic State
Natasha Lander, Kimberly Jackson
Jun 5, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Despite substantial policy and military focus, U.S. attempts to stop the Islamic State group have met with only varying degrees of success. A patient, long-term U.S. investment in governance—including a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of instability in the Middle East—is needed in Iraq and Syria.
Read More »
Global Climate Change
commentary
The Big Bet: Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement
Debra Knopman, Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Jordan R. Fischbach @fischinwater, Benjamin Lee Preston @bl_preston
Jun 2, 2017
Inside Sources
America's formal withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. global leadership on many issues, not just on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Read More »
Politics and Government
commentary
Is Moon Ready to Reunite Korea? Is Kim Jong Un?
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Jun 2, 2017
Newsweek
President Moon Jae-in is focused on South Korean domestic issues and internal unification. But he needs to prepare for unification with North Korea. He will face challenges whether unification is brought on by peaceful coexistence or as the result of sudden change.
Read More »
International Economic Relations
commentary
The Driving Force Behind China's Ambitious 'Belt and Road Initiative'
Rafiq Dossani
May 30, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
By committing trillions of dollars to infrastructure projects across 60 countries, China could transform the lagging economies of the region and place itself in the enviable position of being Asia's true pivot. But the new Silk Road blueprint presents risks as well as benefits.
Read More »
Georgia (country)
commentary
Georgia Wants Reassurance That America Will Help Deter Russia
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh
May 25, 2017
The National Interest
Georgia is an emerging democracy in a difficult region with mainly authoritarian regimes nearby. To overcome severe challenges from Russian military occupation and economic weakness, it deserves sustained Western support.
Read More »
Arctic Region
commentary
What Does 'America First' Look Like in the Arctic?
Abbie Tingstad, Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard
May 25, 2017
United Press International
The shift in U.S. climate policy away from greenhouse gas reduction is significant for the Arctic, which is experiencing global warming at an accelerated rate. And a recent executive order will pave the way for expanded oil and gas drilling. How will these changes shape the Arctic in years to come?
Read More »

Page 1 of 98

…

International Affairs

Trump's Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing

The U.S.-France Dustup Over Counterterrorism in the Sahel

How China Could Truly Rein in North Korea

Can We Predict Where Terrorists Will Strike Next?

U.S. Interests and World Community

Japan's Mistaken South Sudan Withdrawal

Conversations at RAND: Bruce W. Bennett on Security Tensions in Northeast Asia

End the Korean War, Finally

NATO: Prepared for Countering Disinformation Operations in the Baltic States?

Time for Quiet Diplomacy, Not Taking Sides

Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Countering the Islamic State

The Big Bet: Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement

Is Moon Ready to Reunite Korea? Is Kim Jong Un?

The Driving Force Behind China's Ambitious 'Belt and Road Initiative'

Georgia Wants Reassurance That America Will Help Deter Russia

What Does 'America First' Look Like in the Arctic?

Contact Us

Follow