Somalia

commentary

Expanding the ISIS Brand
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.
Feb 19, 2018

commentary

The Real Questions We Should Be Asking About Niger
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.
Oct 30, 2017
commentary

Family Planning Must Be Part of the Humanitarian Response in Africa's Conflict Zones
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.
Jul 1, 2015
commentary

Djibouti: Outpost of Stability in an Unstable Region
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.
Apr 10, 2015
commentary

Somali Piracy All About Economics
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.
Oct 11, 2013
blog

Do U.S. Raids in Libya, Somalia Signal a Shift in Terror Strategy?
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.
Oct 10, 2013
commentary

A Threat to U.S. Interests in East Africa
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.
Oct 2, 2013
commentary

Al Qaeda Is Far from Defeated
As the administration looks eastward—a strategy that incorporates China's rise—underestimating al Qaeda would be a dangerous mistake, writes Seth G. Jones.
Apr 30, 2012
commentary

Industry Insights: What's So Hard About Stopping Piracy?
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.
Apr 11, 2011
commentary

Kowtowing to Pirates' Ransoms Fuels Maritime Piracy
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.
Apr 11, 2011
commentary

Stormy Seas off Somalia
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.
Feb 28, 2011
commentary

Al Qaeda Tipping Point? Still a Long Way to Go
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.
Apr 26, 2010
commentary

On Dry Land - The Onshore Drivers of Piracy
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.
Jul 3, 2009
commentary

Who Has the Will to Fight Piracy?
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.
Apr 21, 2009
commentary

Old Front Against Terrorism
Published commentary by RAND staff: Old Front Against Terrorism, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Jan 14, 2007
commentary

We've Been Down This Road Before
commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.
Jul 17, 2003

Quoted

Research conducted in school districts around the country demonstrates significant public health benefits of later school start times. When schools start later, teens get more sleep. Not surprisingly, a well-rested teen is happier, more alert, and able to learn. Studies have even shown that with later school start times, attendance improves and graduation rates go up.

Wendy M. Troxel

Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

Sleep plays a vital role in muscle and tissue repair, a necessity for runners who demand a lot from their bodies. During sleep, the body engages in processes that repair muscles and replenish energy stores, setting the stage for peak performance. Entering a marathon with a sleep deficit can hinder these processes, affecting your overall performance and increasing injury risk.

Wendy M. Troxel

Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist

Source: Chicago Tribune

How to Support Victims of Elder Mistreatment

Climate Change Affects Health and Will Increase Drug Demand

Iran's Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Year

A Russia–North Korea Alliance in the Works? Don't Be So Sure

The Math Equity Equation

The Policy Currents Podcast

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research

Improving Access to Early Childhood Education

Somalia

Expanding the ISIS Brand

The Real Questions We Should Be Asking About Niger

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

Djibouti: Outpost of Stability in an Unstable Region

Somali Piracy All About Economics

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

A Threat to U.S. Interests in East Africa

Al Qaeda Is Far from Defeated

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

Kowtowing to Pirates' Ransoms Fuels Maritime Piracy

Stormy Seas off Somalia

Al Qaeda Tipping Point? Still a Long Way to Go

On Dry Land - The Onshore Drivers of Piracy

Who Has the Will to Fight Piracy?

Old Front Against Terrorism

We've Been Down This Road Before

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