Politics and Government

Warfare and Military Operations
commentary
Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War
Michael J. Mazarr
Apr 19, 2019
The Wall Street Journal
The outcome of the Iraq invasion has done little to alter the factors that have led American leaders and the public into unwise military adventures. Today's big idea of America's mission is not so different from what it was in 2003. Any number of events could spark a new moral imperative to act.
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Syria
commentary
Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Apr 15, 2019
The Hill
For American policymakers, economic sanctions are too often the soft choice between doing nothing and taking effective but risky or expensive action. Yet, before they inflict years, perhaps decades of impoverishment and worse on entire populations, they should ask if their efforts are likely to succeed and are worth punishing an entire people.
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Law of War
commentary
'Game of Thrones' Reflections on International Relations
Rebecca Jensen, Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Apr 11, 2019
The RAND Blog
As two RAND researchers join millions of others in eagerly awaiting the final season of Game of Thrones, they reflect on one of the show's central themes: rival views of the nature of power and justice.
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Taiwan
commentary
A Taiwan Diplomatic Victory Over China Could Be Inevitable
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Mar 21, 2019
The National Interest
It is likely that Taipei will lose diplomatic allies unless a cross-Strait agreement is reached on the 1992 Consensus. But it is perhaps equally inevitable that Taiwan will convince at least one or more states to recognize Taiwan over China. Such a development would help counter the narrative that Taiwan sovereignty is doomed.
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Terrorism
commentary
The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Mar 20, 2019
The Hill
Terrorism has become an internet-enabled abuse—incited, propagated, and sometimes organized and concealed by online activity. Who should be held accountable for abusive content, the author or the publisher? And what role should the government play in regulating it?
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Capacity Building
commentary
Building a Capacity Framework for U.S. City Diplomacy
Jay Wang, Sohaela Amiri
Mar 11, 2019
USC Center on Public Diplomacy
As U.S. cities are home to two thirds of the population, the practice of city diplomacy has become essential for local communities to thrive in a globalized society. What are the necessary skills, capabilities, and resources required to craft an effective global engagement strategy?
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Economic Development
commentary
Investing in Russia's Future
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Mar 1, 2019
The Moscow Times
Russia's economic problems can be traced to sanctions, lack of investment, and lack of reform. The Kremlin has the power to address these problems. Reforms could unlock economic potential and enable Russians to improve their living standards.
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Iran
commentary
Behind the 'Surprise' Resignation of Iran's Foreign Minister
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Feb 26, 2019
Foreign Policy
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, announced his resignation after a nearly six-year tenure. His resignation has sparked as much controversy as his tenure, one dominated by overtures to the West and resulting tensions at home. Although his departure will likely be felt most acutely in Europe, it may have a deeper impact in Tehran.
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Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy
commentary
Who Should Fund U.S. Research and Development?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Feb 22, 2019
The Hill
The United States is in a global technology competition with important economic and national security implications. Government leadership and funding for shaping national research and development priorities will be essential.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Terrorists on the Border and Government Secrecy
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins, Richard Daddario
Feb 13, 2019
The Hill
Detailed information on how many would-be terrorists may have sought to cross the southern border is being withheld on the grounds that it is sensitive. The refusal of officials to offer a fuller explanation of the numbers illustrates how the continued expansion of secrecy in government is damaging the ability of the public to assess the risk and evaluate the response.
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Personal Savings
commentary
What the Shutdown Revealed About the Fragility of American Life
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Feb 11, 2019
RealClearPolicy
The government shutdown highlighted the lack of resilience many suffer from when they encounter unexpected economic events. The median American family has been losing ground for decades. Policy responses to address this situation will be complex and difficult, but are much needed.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Hezbollah Is in Venezuela to Stay
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Feb 11, 2019
Foreign Policy
Whatever the benefits of replacing the current Venezuelan regime with Washington's preferred alternative, Juan Guaidó, there's reason to doubt that it would change the country's problematic relationship with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is well-entrenched in Venezuela, where it has established a vast infrastructure for its criminal activities.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
The Wall Is Not the Only Answer
Blas Nunez-Neto
Feb 8, 2019
The Hill
The president and Congress have just days to negotiate an agreement over border security, or the government may shut down once again. Until a bipartisan effort is made to reform U.S. immigration laws, policy options to address the incentives that cause people to risk their lives to come to the border to claim asylum will continue to be limited.
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Iran
commentary
The Islamic Republic's Foreign Policy at Forty
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Feb 8, 2019
Atlantic Council
Forty years have passed since the Islamic Revolution. While Iran hasn't departed from its revolutionary roots, its foreign policy today is largely shaped by threat perceptions and interests, not ideology.
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United States
blog
State of the Union 2019: Insights from RAND
Feb 6, 2019
To shed light on a wide range of topics that figured in President Trump's second State of the Union address, we've rounded up insights from some of RAND's objective and nonpartisan research, analysis, and expertise.
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Democracy
commentary
Democratic Bright Spots in the South Caucasus
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jan 23, 2019
The National Interest
Democratic bright spots are emerging in Armenia and Georgia despite their being wedged between less-than-democratic regional powers. Both countries seek to consolidate democratic gains and overcome poverty while managing daunting challenges from Russia and separatist conflicts. While pursuing these priorities, the countries deserve continued, strong Western support.
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Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

Politics and Government

Yes, the U.S. Could Be Drawn Into Yet Another Big War

Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous

'Game of Thrones' Reflections on International Relations

A Taiwan Diplomatic Victory Over China Could Be Inevitable

The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity

Building a Capacity Framework for U.S. City Diplomacy

Investing in Russia's Future

Behind the 'Surprise' Resignation of Iran's Foreign Minister

Who Should Fund U.S. Research and Development?

Terrorists on the Border and Government Secrecy

What the Shutdown Revealed About the Fragility of American Life

Hezbollah Is in Venezuela to Stay

The Wall Is Not the Only Answer

The Islamic Republic's Foreign Policy at Forty

State of the Union 2019: Insights from RAND

Democratic Bright Spots in the South Caucasus

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