• Skip to page content
RAND Corporation
Objective Analysis. Effective Solutions.
Toggle Menu

Site-wide navigation

  • About RAND
    • RAND at a Glance
    • Vision
    • History and Mission
    • Leadership
    • Organizational Structure
    • Contacts
    • Locations
    • Quality Standards
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Employment
  • RAND Campaign
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Research

    Research Areas

    • Children, Families, and Communities
    • Cyber and Data Sciences
    • Education and Literacy
    • Energy and Environment
    • Health, Health Care, and Aging
    • Homeland Security and Public Safety
    • Infrastructure and Transportation
    • International Affairs
    • Law and Business
    • National Security and Terrorism
    • Science and Technology
    • Workers and the Workplace

    Trending Topics

    • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
    • Civic Education
    • Vaccination
    • International Economic Relations
    • Employment and Unemployment
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Racial Equity
    • Environmental and Natural Resource Management
    All Topics Browse Reports

    Research Divisions

    • Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center
    • RAND Army Research Division
    • RAND Australia
    • RAND Education and Labor
    • RAND Europe
    • RAND Health Care
    • RAND National Security Research Division
    • RAND Project AIR FORCE
    • RAND Social and Economic Well-Being
    Featured Research Activities
    • RAND International
      • Center for Asia Pacific Policy
      • Center for Global Risk and Security
      • Center for Middle East Public Policy
      • Center for Russia and Eurasia
    • RAND Gulf States Policy Institute
    Research Departments
  • Latest Insights

    Reports

    • A parent taking a child's temperature on a virtual doctor visit, photo by chee gin tan/Getty Images

      What Role Will Telehealth Play After COVID-19?

    • A world map puzzle with a piece on top, photo by Yuriy Panyukov/Adobe Stock

      Rethinking the U.S. Approach to the World

    Blog Posts

    • Keeping COVID-19 Vaccines Moving, the Capitol Attack, Media Literacy: RAND Weekly Recap

    • European Council President Charles Michel, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and France's President Emmanuel Macron attend the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, October 15, 2020, photo by Yves Herman/Pool/Reuters

      Welcoming a Stronger European Defense

    Multimedia

    • Overcoming Hurdles to Herd Immunity (Teaser)

      Overcoming Hurdles to Herd Immunity

    • Policy Currents

      The Policy Currents Podcast

  • Policy Experts

    All Experts

    Spotlight
    • p201301_03, michael shurkin
      Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
      Commentary:
      Welcoming a Stronger European Defense
    • Michaela Bruckmayer
      Commentary:
      Helping Mothers Return to Work Is a Gender Equality Issue

    By Research Area

    • Children, Families, and Communities
    • Cyber and Data Sciences
    • Education and Literacy
    • Energy and Environment
    • Health, Health Care, and Aging
    • Homeland Security and Public Safety
    • Infrastructure and Transportation
    • International Affairs
    • Law and Business
    • National Security and Terrorism
    • Science and Technology
    • Workers and the Workplace
  • Capabilities

    Drawing upon decades of experience, RAND provides research services, systematic analysis, and innovative thinking to a global clientele that includes government agencies, foundations, and private-sector firms.

    • Capabilities Overview
    • RAND Solutions
    Who We Work For
    • Public Sector
    • Philanthropic Sector
    • Private Sector
    Work with Us
    • Explore Business Contacts
    About RAND Research
    • Disciplinary Expertise
    • Quality Standards

    Featured Solutions

    • A servicemember and his wife hold hands

      Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

    • Sunrise over Louisiana wetlands

      Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change

    • Depressed woman talking to her therapist

      Improving Psychological Wellbeing and Work Outcomes in the UK

    • Deploying soldiers test new female body armor prototype

      Lightening Body Armor

  • Graduate School

    The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PRGS.edu) is the largest public policy Ph.D. program in the nation and the only program based at an independent public policy research organization—the RAND Corporation.

    • About PRGS
    • Admissions
    • Academics and Degree Program
    • Students
    • Faculty

    Featured Video on PRGS.edu

    Overview: Pardee RAND Graduate School

    Student Spotlight

    • tal wolfson, w0697
      Tal Wolfson

      Assistant Policy Researcher; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School

    • lawrence baker
      Lawrence Baker

      Assistant Policy Researcher; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School

  • About

  • 中文(简体)
  • العربية
  • Sign In Sign out
  • Cart
Toggle Search
  1. RAND
  2. >The RAND Blog
/content/rand/blog/jcr:content/par/bloglist .topic.somalia
The RAND Blog

Somalia

  • China

    blog

    China's 70th Anniversary, Wargaming, Fentanyl: RAND Weekly Recap

    Oct 4, 2019

    This weekly recap focuses on what the future holds for China, the importance of gender diversity in wargaming, how Army families address life's challenges, and more.

    Read More »
  • Shi'ite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) members hold an Islamic State flag, which they pulled down, during the war between Iraqi army and PMF against Islamic State militants in Tal Afar, Iraq, August 27, 2017
    Terrorism Threat Assessment

    commentary

    Expanding the ISIS Brand

    Colin P. Clarke

    Feb 19, 2018

    The National Interest

    Since its founding, the Islamic State has consistently expanded and contracted in order to achieve its objectives. To discern how ISIS might continue to expand, it makes sense to trace Al Qaeda's trajectory, which followed a similar pattern in the 2000s.

    Read More »
  • Nigerien soldiers prepare their magazines for a dismounted patrol during Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, March 11, 2017
    Security Cooperation

    commentary

    The Real Questions We Should Be Asking About Niger

    Philip Mudd, Andrew Liepman

    Oct 30, 2017

    CNN

    In the wake of the deaths of four U.S. servicemen in Niger, Americans are embroiled in a pointless political squabble. The focus should be on developing a greater understanding of the risks and benefits of U.S. counterterrorism operations abroad.

    Read More »
  • Juba, South Sudan, February 2014: Internally displaced persons in South Sudan find a safe shelter at the UN House IDP Camp
    Maternal Health

    commentary

    Family Planning Must Be Part of the Humanitarian Response in Africa's Conflict Zones

    Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik

    Jul 1, 2015

    The RAND Blog

    Worldwide, nearly 800 women die every day due to mostly preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. More than half of these deaths occur in fragile states torn by armed conflict and generalized violence.

    Read More »
  • U.S. Senior Master Sgt. Leonard discusses cargo pallet inspection procedures with East Africa air force members during African Partnership Flight-Djibouti February 10, 2015
    Security Cooperation

    commentary

    Djibouti: Outpost of Stability in an Unstable Region

    K. Jack Riley @K_Jack_Riley, Seth G. Jones

    Apr 10, 2015

    The Hill

    The collaborative role being played by the United States and Djibouti represents the kind of partnerships that are now required in the battle against terrorism, because little-known places like Djibouti are one arena where the battle could be won or lost.

    Read More »
  • The U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama container ship docked at the Kenyan coastal sea port of Mombasa, April 12, 2009
    Maritime Piracy

    commentary

    Somali Piracy All About Economics

    Peter Chalk

    Oct 11, 2013

    USA Today

    The average Somali lives on less than $2 a day. Even fishermen, who are comparatively well off by national standards, face difficulties making a living due to the chronic depletion of sea stocks from years of poaching and illegal dumping of toxic waste. Under such circumstances, the allure of piracy is clear.

    Read More »
  • U.S. marines during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio
    Counterterrorism

    blog

    Do U.S. Raids in Libya, Somalia Signal a Shift in Terror Strategy?

    Oct 10, 2013

    The raids that the United States conducted over the weekend in Libya and Somalia could signal a new focus in Washington on capturing terrorist suspects and gathering intelligence rather than relying on drone strikes. RAND experts Linda Robinson, Angel Rabasa, and Seth Jones comment.

    Read More »
  • Somali National Army soldiers stand at attention in a training camp
    Terrorism Threat Assessment

    commentary

    A Threat to U.S. Interests in East Africa

    Seth G. Jones

    Oct 2, 2013

    NYTimes.com

    The Shabab terrorist attack at Westgate Mall in Kenya and its follow-up attacks in the country are a stark reminder that the Somalia-based group poses a threat to the United States and its interests in East Africa, writes Seth G. Jones.

    Read More »
  • U.S. and Iraqi soldiers run by a burning vehicle in Hussein Hamadi village, Iraq
    Al Qaida

    commentary

    Al Qaeda Is Far from Defeated

    Seth G. Jones

    Apr 30, 2012

    The Wall Street Journal

    As the administration looks eastward—a strategy that incorporates China's rise—underestimating al Qaeda would be a dangerous mistake, writes Seth G. Jones.

    Read More »
  • United Nations

    commentary

    Industry Insights: What's So Hard About Stopping Piracy?

    Laurence Smallman

    Apr 11, 2011

    Earth Imaging Journal

    Containing persistent maritime disorder might be more fruitful and could lay the foundations for a successful transition to better use of the sea once the societal factors—an even longer term problem—have been resolved, writes Laurence Smallman.

    Read More »
  • Water Transportation

    commentary

    Kowtowing to Pirates' Ransoms Fuels Maritime Piracy

    Laurence Smallman

    Apr 11, 2011

    Bloomberg Government

    Instead of fanning piracy, international businesses need to heed policy. Ransoms in the short term can only lead to more problems in the long term, writes Laurence Smallman.

    Read More »
  • Somalia

    commentary

    Stormy Seas off Somalia

    Peter Chalk

    Feb 28, 2011

    Los Angeles Times

    Only by addressing the poverty and lack of central authority in Somalia can the international community lower maritime crime and violence off the Horn of Africa, writes Peter Chalk.

    Read More »
  • Al Qaida

    commentary

    Al Qaeda Tipping Point? Still a Long Way to Go

    Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

    Apr 26, 2010

    NationalJournal.com

    Although al Qaeda appears to be coming under pressure in some dimensions, I remain wary of calling a tipping point, and I am even more skeptical about the prospect of a knockout punch, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

    Read More »
  • Maritime Piracy

    commentary

    On Dry Land - The Onshore Drivers of Piracy

    Peter Chalk, Laurence Smallman

    Jul 3, 2009

    Jane's Intelligence Review online

    Piracy is a growing international problem, primarily around the Horn of Africa. The international response has been largely military in nature and focused exclusively on the maritime theatre, ignoring key land drivers of piracy, which will resurface once the military actions end, write Peter Chalk and Laurence Smallman.

    Read More »
  • Maritime Piracy

    commentary

    Who Has the Will to Fight Piracy?

    Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

    Apr 21, 2009

    GlobalSecurity.org

    The recent French and American rescues of hostages held by pirates off the coast of Somalia were necessary and proper. No one believes these actions will end piracy. But unless we impose risks on the pirates--which means taking some risks ourselves--piracy will certainly flourish, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

    Read More »
  • commentary

    Old Front Against Terrorism

    Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

    Jan 14, 2007

    San Diego Union-Tribune

    Published commentary by RAND staff: Old Front Against Terrorism, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

    Read More »
  • commentary

    We've Been Down This Road Before

    James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins

    Jul 17, 2003

    Los Angeles Times

    commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.

    Read More »

Quoted

  • Europeans already spend a lot on defense, but that spending is undercut by the redundancies and inefficiencies associated with so many countries building separate forces to serve separate political ends and nurture separate defense industries. The best remedy for that could be collectivization, or at the very least significantly greater coordination.

    p201301_03, michael shurkin

    Michael Shurkin

    Senior Political Scientist

    Source: RealClearWorld

  • Insulated from the partisan passions that sunder our politics and our society, a January 6 Commission created by Congress or the Biden administration could analyze whether this was an isolated uprising or the harbinger of more to come. It could make recommendations to prevent such attacks in the future in Washington or at statehouses throughout the country.

    brian michael jenkins, brian jenkins

    Brian Michael Jenkins

    Senior Adviser to the RAND President

    Source: Los Angeles Times

Stay Informed

RAND Policy Currents

Stay on top of the latest RAND research highlights, news, and commentary with the official RAND email newsletter.

Explore Posts

By Content Type

  • Commentary
  • Essay
  • Announcement
  • Article
  • Q & A

By Research Area

  • Children, Families, and Communities
  • Cyber and Data Sciences
  • Education and Literacy
  • Energy and Environment
  • Health, Health Care, and Aging
  • Homeland Security and Public Safety
  • Infrastructure and Transportation
  • International Affairs
  • Law and Business
  • National Security and Terrorism
  • Science and Technology
  • Workers and the Workplace

By Top Topic

  • International Diplomacy (882)
  • Global Security (481)
  • Security Cooperation (481)
  • Politics and Government (462)
  • Counterterrorism (439)
  • China (412)
  • Russia (348)
  • International Affairs (307)
  • Military Strategy (273)
  • Syria (273)
  • Iraq (256)
  • Iran (252)
  • International Economic Relations (251)
  • Peacekeeping and Stability Operations (229)
  • The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization) (219)

Archives

  • 2021
    • January
  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2002
    • December
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2001
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2000
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • July

More +

Less -

  • Save to My RAND
  • Subscribe
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

About

The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.

  • Vision
  • Leadership
  • Quality Standards
  • Career Opportunities
  • Santa Monica, CA
  • Washington, DC
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • New Orleans, LA
  • Boston, MA
  • Cambridge, UK
  • Brussels, BE
  • Canberra, AU
World map of RAND office locations

Connect

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Locations

I am interested in

  • Jobs at RAND
  • Media Resources
  • Congressional Resources
  • Doing Business with RAND
  • Supporting RAND
  • Educational Opportunities
  • Alumni Association

Follow

  • RAND Corporation on Facebook
  • RAND Corporation on Twitter
  • RAND Corporation on LinkedIn
  • RAND Corporation on YouTube
  • RAND Corporation on Instagram
  • RAND Corporation RSS Feeds
  • RAND Corporation mobile applications

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the weekly Policy Currents newsletter to receive updates on the issues that matter most.

Stay Informed

RAND Policy Currents

Get weekly updates from RAND.

View all email newsletters

Resources

  • Multimedia
  • Latest Reports
  • Browse by Author
  • RAND Classics
  • Databases and Tools

Site Information

  • Site Map
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Support Policy
  • Feedback
  • Help
RAND Corporation 1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90401-3208
RAND® is a registered trademark. © 1994-2021 RAND Corporation.