Syria

Iran
commentary
Iran Claws Back Its Regional Influence
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.
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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.
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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.
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Syria
commentary
Russia's Risky Game Plan for Syria
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, 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.
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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.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
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.
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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.
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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.
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Israel
commentary
Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
Israel has a right to defend itself from Iranian threats to its country. American leaders should consider balancing support for Israel's efforts to counter Iran with firm redlines about activities negatively impacting American interests.
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Iran
commentary
Syria Changed the Iranian Way of War
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Aug 16, 2019
Foreign Affairs
To get a sense of the playbook that Tehran might consult in any future conflict with the United States, Washington should pay close attention to what the Iranians have learned in Syria.
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Homelessness
blog
ISIS, Homelessness, India's Election: RAND Weekly Recap
Jun 7, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on what can be done about ISIS detainees, a program that helps reduce homelessness, Modi's reelection in India, and more.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria
Fiona Greenland, Oya Topçuoğlu, Tasha Vorderstrasse, James V. Marrone
May 15, 2019
The Conversation
During the Islamic State's rise, looted artifacts were said to be a significant source of income for the group. But no one had identified the value, using empirical data and systematic calculations, of the artifacts that were known to exist in Syria's archaeological sites. Until now.
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Refugees
commentary
Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Apr 19, 2019
The National Interest
Active fighting in Syria is dwindling. But Syria remains divided in a frozen conflict and empty peace, unstable and unlikely to attract the investment in reconstruction, public institutions, job creation, and local reconciliation efforts needed to motivate Syrians in large numbers to return home.
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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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Medicare
blog
Medicare for All, Principals, Cigarette Labels: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 12, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on spending estimates under Medicare for All, the benefits of principal pipelines, graphic warning labels on cigarettes, and more.
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Syria
commentary
The Syrian Civil War Is Coming to an End
Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Apr 8, 2019
Newsweek
Coalition forces have driven ISIS from its final patch of territory in Syria. But the bigger challenge will be ending the ongoing civil war and rebuilding Syria to bring home millions of refugees and internally displaced people. This means creating a state that can provide safety, security, and opportunity that forestalls further rebellion and devastation.
Read More »

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Turkey's Nationalist Course and How It Affects U.S.-Turkish Relations

U.S. Airport Infrastructure Funding and Financing

How Washington Could Make Beijing Listen on Xinjiang

U.S.-Turkish Relations, Airports, Opioids: RAND Weekly Recap

Built to Last: Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure

The Policy Currents Podcast

Helping Children Cope with Trauma: A School-Based Intervention

Planning for the Rising Costs of Dementia

Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change

Syria

Iran Claws Back Its Regional Influence

Most Popular RAND Blog Commentary of 2019

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

Russia's Risky Game Plan for Syria

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

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

The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far

Syria Changed the Iranian Way of War

ISIS, Homelessness, India's Election: RAND Weekly Recap

We're Just Beginning to Grasp the Toll of the Islamic State's Archaeological Looting in Syria

Syrian Refugees Won't Be Going Home Any Time Soon

Economic Sanctions and Carpet Bombing Are Similarly Ruinous

Medicare for All, Principals, Cigarette Labels: RAND Weekly Recap

The Syrian Civil War Is Coming to an End

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