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The RAND Blog

Syria

  • RAND Weekly Recap
    Earthquakes

    blog

    Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Facial Recognition, Gun Violence: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, regulating the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, improving data collection on gun violence, and more.

    Read More »

    Feb 17, 2023

  • Earthquakes

    q&a

    Earthquake in Turkey, Syria: Insights from RAND Researchers

    Thousands of people have been confirmed dead in one the strongest earthquakes to hit Turkey and Syria in the past century. As search-and-rescue missions ended and recovery began, a handful of RAND researchers shared some of their initial thoughts.

    Read More »

    Feb 14, 2023

    The RAND Blog

  • Military Strategy

    commentary

    Appreciating U.S. Ground Force Contributions to Operation Inherent Resolve

    Defeating ISIS hinged on a ground fight, requiring the grueling liberation of territory kilometer by kilometer. While Iraqi forces bore the brunt of frontline fighting, U.S. forces were also engaged in on-the-ground combat operations that hastened the defeat of ISIS. Appreciating such contributions will be necessary to distill the right lessons so that we might correctly apply them to future irregular warfare.

    Read More »

    Jan 25, 2023

    Modern War Institute

    Jeffrey Martini, Sean M. Zeigler, et al.

  • Gun Policy

    blog

    Gun Storage, the Dangers of Replacement Theory, War in Ukraine: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on how Americans store their guns, why ‘replacement theory' is a danger to us all, the war in Ukraine, and more.

    Read More »

    Jul 15, 2022

  • Urban Warfare

    essay

    Civilian Casualties: Lessons from the Battle for Raqqa

    The United States' emphasis on minimizing civilian harm in Raqqa, Syria, was quite clear and strong up and down the chain of command. But the way in which the U.S. military waged war in Raqqa too often undercut that commitment. The Pentagon asked RAND to find out what happened.

    Read More »

    Jul 1, 2022

  • Postsecondary Education

    blog

    Paying College Athletes, Preventing Suicide, Planning for Heatwaves: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on a potential step toward paying college athletes, helping college freshmen overcome COVID-19 learning loss, the effects of U.S. sanctions in Syria, more.

    Read More »

    Jul 16, 2021

  • Syria

    commentary

    The Power and Limits of Threat: The Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act at One Year

    A powerful new U.S. sanctions law on Syria came into effect one year ago, with great notice and speculation regarding its potential effects. Now, one year later, it is apparent that the act's power lies not in who the United States has sanctioned but in who the United States could sanction.

    Read More »

    Jul 8, 2021

    RealClearDefense

    Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

  • Gender Equity in the Workplace

    blog

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

    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 »

    Dec 4, 2020

  • Refugees

    commentary

    The Syrian Forever War Has Created Forever Refugees

    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 »

    Nov 24, 2020

    The National Interest

    Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

  • Refugees

    commentary

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

    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 »

    Oct 30, 2020

    The World Bank Jobs and Development Blog

    Namita Datta, Louay Constant, et al.

  • Security Cooperation

    commentary

    Can America Weaken the Russia-Iran Axis?

    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 »

    Jul 31, 2020

    Newsweek

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

  • Syria

    commentary

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

    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 »

    Jul 22, 2020

    RealClearDefense

    Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

  • Air Defense

    commentary

    Drone-Era Warfare Shows the Operational Limits of Air Defense Systems

    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 »

    Jul 2, 2020

    RealClearDefense

    John V. Parachini @JohnParachini, Peter A. Wilson

  • Russia

    commentary

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

    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 »

    Jun 30, 2020

    Newsweek

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.

  • Russia

    commentary

    Russia's Challenge and Syria's Chance

    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 »

    May 20, 2020

    Newsweek

    Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

  • Iran

    commentary

    Iran Claws Back Its Regional Influence

    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 »

    Jan 17, 2020

    The World Post

    Jordan R. Reimer

Quoted

  • The willingness to break ranks from the previous consensus against donating fighters underscores the influential role that Poland, Slovakia and other smaller NATO front-line states have played in driving international support for Ukraine.

    James Black

    Assistant Director, Defence and Security

    Source: Defense News

  • My generation has benefited tremendously from Vietnam veterans, who fought like hell to get PTSD recognized. Because of their tenacity, we finally have a language to describe, and evidence-informed treatments to manage, the psychological effects of the trauma of war.

    Kayla M. Williams

    Senior Policy Researcher

    Source: The War Horse

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