Military Equipment

Fighter Aircraft
commentary
Russia's Su-57 Heavy Fighter Bomber: Is It Really a Fifth-Generation Aircraft?
Ryan Michael Bauer, Peter A. Wilson
Aug 17, 2020
The RAND Blog
Russia's Su-57 aircraft has been in development since 2002 and is considered a key part of Russia's arms export industry as a fifth-generation fighter. Despite continued Russian efforts to sell the aircraft, it is unlikely that a fully developed and full production–ready Su-57 will be available for sale before the late 2020s.
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Democracy
blog
Summer Reading List for Congress
Aug 18, 2020
During the August recess Hill staff should have an opportunity to step back from the fast pace of votes and hearing preparation to examine priorities for the fall and beyond. This list of must-read research and commentary covers some policy issues they will likely be addressing after the break.
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North Korea
commentary
In North Korea, The U.S. Could Take the Lead
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett, Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Aug 17, 2020
The National Interest
North Korea is hurting: its economy is stagnant and it is having trouble feeding even its elites because of the UN/U.S. sanctions designed to pressure North Korean toward denuclearization. A combined carrot and stick approach may help overcome some of North Korea's reluctance to negotiate the future of its nuclear weapons program.
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Japan
commentary
Missing in Japan's Deterrence Debate
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Aug 13, 2020
Nikkei Asian Review
Following its decision to cancel the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system, Japan is currently debating future deterrence capabilities. The debate over how Japan can defend itself is an important one, offering a major opportunity to shape the country's future defense posture.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Negotiating with Great Powers on Nuclear Arms
Frank G. Klotz, John Lauder, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 3, 2020
RealClearDefense
New START, the U.S.-Russia arms control treaty, expires in February 2021. Washington insists that any follow-on accord must include China. But overcoming Beijing's reticence to engage in nuclear talks will likely take deft diplomacy, time, and patience.
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Military Strategy
commentary
Is Japan's Interest in Enemy Base Attack Capabilities a Good Idea?
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Jul 17, 2020
War on the Rocks
In the span of a month, Tokyo has rapidly gone from canceling a ballistic missile defense system to considering strike capabilities against foreign adversaries. Is Japan on the precipice of dramatically changing the way it uses its military?
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Low-Intensity Conflict
commentary
An Israeli Escalation Against Iran?
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Jul 15, 2020
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
Israeli involvement in recent attacks on Iran would not be surprising, and more such attacks might be coming. However, Israel's bet that the Iranians will not respond is risky. It's hard to control escalation when things are so volatile, especially as hardline Iranian leaders may increase pressure to retaliate.
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Law Enforcement
commentary
How to Reform Military Gear Transfers to Police
K. Jack Riley @K_Jack_Riley, Aaron C. Davenport
Jul 13, 2020
The Wall Street Journal
Police officers equipped like soldiers have appeared on the streets of American cities amid recent protests over George Floyd's killing. How should lawmakers reform a program that makes use of excess equipment and is popular with police departments, but that also raises substantial concerns about the militarization of policing?
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Japan
commentary
Japan Is Canceling a U.S. Missile Defense System
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Jul 6, 2020
Foreign Policy
In June, Japan canceled its planned deployment of two Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense systems. This decision is understandable, but that doesn't negate the problems it could pose for Japanese security and Japan's relationship with the United States.
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Air Defense
commentary
Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems
John V. Parachini, Peter A. Wilson
Jul 2, 2020
RealClearDefense
External powers have intervened in the civil wars in Libya and Syria, supplying advanced conventional weapons that have intensified the conflicts. But not all of the weapons have performed as claimed.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Take the Bird in the Hand. Strike a Nuclear Weapons Deal with Russia
Luke Griffith
Jul 1, 2020
RealClearPolicy
By extending New START, the Trump administration would preserve verifiable constraints on Russia's nuclear arsenal, buy time to negotiate a more comprehensive agreement, and pave the way for arms talks about intermediate-range missiles.
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Nuclear Weapons and Warfare
commentary
Nuclear Testing Not Needed Now
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Frank G. Klotz
Jun 11, 2020
Newsweek
Trump administration officials are reported to have recently discussed conducting a nuclear test, breaking a moratorium the United States has observed since 1992. Such a move is not necessary to ensure the reliability of the U.S. arsenal and could increase threats to U.S. and allied security by giving a green light to others to conduct nuclear tests.
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Spending Smart or Spending Big: The Value of Systematic Assessments of Weapons Procurement
Peter A. Wilson, John V. Parachini
Jun 8, 2020
The RAND Blog
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and inevitable economic difficulties, national governments should be encouraged to weigh their military requirements in a more cost-effective manner. Countries need to think strategically about the life cycle costs of equipment, not just the original purchase price.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea Post–Kim Jong Un Reappearance: Expect Business as Usual in the Hermit Kingdom
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
May 19, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong Un's return, while it leaves much to be desired in the way of explanation, should send one message to the international audience: North Korea's fate rests still in the hands of Kim Jong Un. And judging by appearances in recent days, Kim does not appear to intend to change the course of his strategy to reduce tensions with the United States.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korean Provocations, Not Denuclearization
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
May 8, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong-un's reappearance raises questions about the course of U.S.–North Korea relationships in the coming year. What should we expect? What can we learn from the past?
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Philippines
commentary
Are Military Purchases in SE Asia for Political Balancing a Good Use of National Defense Resources?
Chandler Sachs, John V. Parachini
May 7, 2020
Asian Military Review
The Philippines has embarked upon a multi-phase, multi-year modernization of its armed forces, but some of the acquisition decisions appear to be driven by political symbolism rather than responsible military decisions. Using military procurement for political symbolism and paying a high price for it takes resources away from other pressing national security and domestic needs.
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…

Quoted

The failure of the jihadists can be judged a victory—albeit a costly one—over an organized effort to instigate violence in the United States. The country, however, has not exhausted its inventory of disaffected young men (and women) who may, in the future, embrace jihadism or other extremist ideologies on offer to convey their discontent.

Brian Michael Jenkins

Senior Adviser to the RAND President

Source: The Hill

Beijing's rising assertiveness against Hong Kong, Taiwan, and counter claimants in the East and South China Seas, and now even against India along the Himalayas, has resulted in unprecedented agreement across the Indo-Pacific and beyond that China's muscular approach is an unwelcome development in the region.

Derek Grossman

Senior Defense Analyst

Source: Nikkei Asian Review

The Role of Allies and Partners in U.S. Military Strategy and Operations

Hedgemony: A Game of Strategic Choices

Georgia: From COVID-19 to a Critical Test of Democracy

The American Jihad Was a Failure. For Those Who Joined, It Was a Path to Destruction

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Visits RAND

The Policy Currents Podcast

Measuring Wellbeing to Help Communities Thrive

Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

Planning for the Rising Costs of Dementia

Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research

Military Equipment

Russia's Su-57 Heavy Fighter Bomber: Is It Really a Fifth-Generation Aircraft?

Summer Reading List for Congress

In North Korea, The U.S. Could Take the Lead

Missing in Japan's Deterrence Debate

Negotiating with Great Powers on Nuclear Arms

Is Japan's Interest in Enemy Base Attack Capabilities a Good Idea?

An Israeli Escalation Against Iran?

How to Reform Military Gear Transfers to Police

Japan Is Canceling a U.S. Missile Defense System

Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems

Take the Bird in the Hand. Strike a Nuclear Weapons Deal with Russia

Nuclear Testing Not Needed Now

Spending Smart or Spending Big: The Value of Systematic Assessments of Weapons Procurement

North Korea Post–Kim Jong Un Reappearance: Expect Business as Usual in the Hermit Kingdom

North Korean Provocations, Not Denuclearization

Are Military Purchases in SE Asia for Political Balancing a Good Use of National Defense Resources?

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