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  1. RAND
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The RAND Blog

Syria

  • Gender Equity in the Workplace

    blog

    Working Women, the Intelligence Community, Syrian Refugees: RAND Weekly Recap

    Dec 4, 2020

    This weekly recap focuses on supporting America's working women, challenges facing the next Director of National Intelligence, how Syria's forever war is creating forever refugees, and more.

    Read More »
  • Children play together at Atmeh camp, near the Turkish border, Syria, June 13, 2020, photo by Khalil Ashawi/Reuters
    Refugees

    commentary

    The Syrian Forever War Has Created Forever Refugees

    Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

    Nov 24, 2020

    The National Interest

    Without a formal peace agreement that commits to safety for returnees and creates a foundation for investment in Syria's demolished infrastructure, Syrians will not go home. They fear returning because of reports of returnees being arrested, imprisoned, and tortured.

    Read More »
  • Syrian refugees living in Jordan work under Jasmine, a project which hires and trains Syrian refugee women to create handicrafts, in Amman, Jordan, July 11, 2016, photo by Muhammad Hamed/Reuters
    Refugees

    commentary

    Five Strategies to Address Employment Hurdles Faced by Young Syrian Women Refugees

    Namita Datta, Louay Constant @LouayConstant, Kavell Joseph

    Oct 30, 2020

    The World Bank Jobs and Development Blog

    Young Syrian women refugees face enormous challenges in finding meaningful work in host countries, with many relying on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs. How can employment obstacles be addressed for young Syrian women refugees in a post–COVID-19 environment?

    Read More »
  • Presidents Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Vladimir Putin of Russia arrive for a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, September 16, 2019, photo by Umit Bektas/Reuters
    Security Cooperation

    commentary

    Can America Weaken the Russia-Iran Axis?

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

    Jul 31, 2020

    Newsweek

    America's slow-motion retreat in Syria could embolden Iran and Russia and perhaps lead them to underestimate U.S. resolve to protect its interests in the Middle East. Clearer U.S. priorities and more deliberate engagement could reduce risk and help avoid miscalculation.

    Read More »
  • Internally displaced Syrians drive back to their homes, as some people are afraid of the COVID-19 outbreak in crowded camps, in Dayr Ballut, Syria, April 11, 2020, photo by Khalil Ashawi/Reuters
    Syria

    commentary

    With Rollout of Caesar Sanctions on Syria, U.S. Is Just Getting Started in New Bid to End War

    Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

    Jul 22, 2020

    RealClearDefense

    In June, the U.S. government announced the implementation of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act with a flurry of sanctions against 39 people and entities connected with the Assad regime. There is much more to come. Syria, and Russia and Iran, have not yet felt the Caesar Act in full force.

    Read More »
  • A Pantsir-S surface-to-air missile system fires a missile during the International Army Games 2017 outside Astrakhan, Russia, August 5, 2017, photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
    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.

    Read More »
  • Russian military jets at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, June 18, 2016, photo by Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters
    Russia

    commentary

    Russia Is Eyeing the Mediterranean. The U.S. and NATO Must Be Prepared

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Bradley Martin, Bruce McClintock @BHMcClintock

    Jun 30, 2020

    Newsweek

    Russia is seeking more access and freedom of movement in the Mediterranean region, and is bolstering its military footprint to achieve this objective. The United States and NATO could respond by developing a more robust southern strategy, with a reinforced air and naval presence, respectively.

    Read More »
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, May 17, 2018, p
    Russia

    commentary

    Russia's Challenge and Syria's Chance

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

    May 20, 2020

    Newsweek

    With much of Syria lying in ruins, Russia can back a revived United Nations–led peacemaking process, or see the West rebuff its appeals for large-scale aid. If Russia chooses wisely, the West, wealthy Gulf countries, and China could help. If Moscow procrastinates, the West may withhold assistance and continue cooperation with regional partners.

    Read More »
  • A demonstrator holds a picture of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest in Tehran, Iran, January 3, 2020, photo by Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters
    Iran

    commentary

    Iran Claws Back Its Regional Influence

    Jordan R. Reimer @Jordan_R_Reimer

    Jan 17, 2020

    The World Post

    Last year, Iran faced protests at home as well as in Iraq and Lebanon, where thousands rallied against Tehran's regional hegemony. But with its recent machinations and the fallout over the killing of Soleimani, Iran has succeeded in changing the regional conversation.

    Read More »
  • Image by Alyson Youngblood/RAND Corporation
    International Diplomacy

    blog

    Most Popular RAND Blog Commentary of 2019

    Dec 23, 2019

    Terrorism. The humanitarian crisis at the border. How to engage friends and foes on the world stage. Here are the top 10 commentaries that readers engaged with most on The RAND Blog in 2019.

    Read More »
  • Domestic Terrorism

    blog

    White Supremacist Terrorism, Wildfires, the Dark Web: RAND Weekly Recap

    Nov 1, 2019

    This weekly recap focuses on violent white supremacy, power outages to prevent wildfires, how to catch criminals on the dark web, and more.

    Read More »
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visit the Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, Syria, December 11, 2017, photo by Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik Photo Agency/Reuters
    Syria

    commentary

    Russia's Risky Game Plan for Syria

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

    Oct 29, 2019

    The National Interest

    It will take time to assess the extent to which Russia has “won“ in Syria. Absent a peaceful end to the conflict and an infusion of large-scale Western aid, downside risks for Russia could take some of the bloom off of its rose in Syria.

    Read More »
  • Syria

    blog

    The Syria Withdrawal, Climate Policy, Drones: RAND Weekly Recap

    Oct 25, 2019

    This weekly recap focuses on the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, one expert's take on climate policy, how drones could help get blood to soldiers who need it, and more.

    Read More »
  • A convoy of U.S. vehicles after withdrawing from northern Syria, on the outskirts of Dohuk, Iraq, October 21, 2019, photo by Ari Jalal/Reuters
    The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

    commentary

    How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS

    Colin P. Clarke

    Oct 21, 2019

    Fox News Channel

    President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria could provide the ISIS terrorist group with the time and space to regrow its organization and extend its networks throughout the Middle East. The longer-term strategic effects of the decision could reverberate in the region for years to come.

    Read More »
  • A convoy of U.S. vehicles is seen after withdrawing from northern Syria, in Erbil, Iraq October 21, 2019, photo by  Azad Lashkari/Reuters
    Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

    commentary

    The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

    James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini

    Oct 21, 2019

    Fox News

    Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.

    Read More »
  • A Turkish army howitzer is positioned near the Turkish-Syrian border in Sanliurfa province, Turkey, October 17, 2019, photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters
    Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

    commentary

    Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

    James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini

    Oct 18, 2019

    The Hill

    Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.

    Read More »

Quoted

  • While I am glad to see all the teaching resources available today, our survey suggests a more systemic approach to expanding civic education is necessary. A first step toward that would be to make civic education a priority in state education standards and requirements.

    julia kaufman, k0442

    Julia H. Kaufman

    Senior Policy Researcher

    Source: The RAND Blog

  • As we ponder strategies to address the future of work that artificial intelligence and other technologies will bring, a strategy for retraining the workers sidelined by globalization for the jobs of the future and ensuring their lifelong learning could be beneficial.

    krishna kumar

    Krishna B. Kumar

    Director, RAND International Research

    Source: United Press International

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