2013

commentary

America's Russia Policy Makes Sense

Are U.S. officials deluded about the prospects for cooperation with a country that is fundamentally determined to undermine its goals? No, writes Olga Oliker. In fact, they are pursuing a rational approach towards a state that shares U.S. interests in some key areas, even as it fundamentally disagrees in others.

Olga Oliker

commentary

The Enduring Mirage of the Arab Spring

U.S. policy should not be hamstrung by a narrow focus on democratization, writes Seth G. Jones. More than ever, the United States and its allies should think first about protecting their vital strategic interests in Egypt and the region.

Seth G. Jones

commentary

By Land and by Sea

There are good reasons for the United States to rethink how it counterbalances Iran, reassures local allies, and projects power with fewer resources. However, tying down large numbers of fighter aircraft in the Gulf is likely only to exacerbate old problems and create new ones.

Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Evan Braden Montgomery

commentary

The Biggest Loser of Cairo's Coup: Turkey

The military coup deposing Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, has sparked an important shift in the regional balance of power in the Middle East. Morsi's ouster deals a strong blow to the Turkey-Qatar-Egypt “pro-change” axis and to Turkey's hopes of playing a larger role in the region.

F. Stephen Larrabee

blog

Transforming Schools by Developing 21st-Century Skills

If students are to learn the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow's competitive world, educators may need to rethink yesterday's teaching practices. That's the rationale behind teaching 21st century skills, which include high-order abilities like teamwork and critical thinking.

blog

In Egypt, Polarization Stands in the Way of Stability

The establishment of a stable government in Egypt is an elusive goal that depends on finding ways to reduce seemingly intractable levels of political polarization, says Jeffrey Martini. There is little cause for optimism that polarization will diminish any time soon.

commentary

Under Pressure: How Europe Manages Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

During an economic downturn, employers are unlikely to put the mental health of their workers at the top of the agenda. But it is precisely in these circumstances that employers cannot afford to ignore the mental well-being of employees.

Christian Van Stolk

commentary

Health Care Spending: What's in Store?

Resolving the question of whether or not the U.S. has finally gotten a handle on health care spending is vitally important, because the choices we make going forward will have profound implications for our economy, the financial wellbeing of millions of American families, and ultimately America's standing in the world.

Arthur L. Kellermann

commentary

The Value of Perspective, in Dollars and Cents

RAND's president and CEO discusses how rigorous and objective analysis can inform government organizations responsible for U.S. national security as they address today's budget realities.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

commentary

Border Security Is Key to Immigration Reform

Two important aspects of border security bear continued attention: strategy must be developed as one part of a holistic system of immigration management and any progress on improving this system is reliant on having concrete and sensible objectives and measures of success.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, K. Jack Riley @K_Jack_Riley

announcement

Erik Nemeth Appears on History Channel's 'America's Book of Secrets: Lost Treasures'

In an episode of the History Channel's America's Book of Secrets, Erik Nemeth discusses the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist of 1990 and the broader implications of art crime for national security.

commentary

The Cost of Higher Education: The Big Picture

According to Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan, tuition is becoming less affordable because institutions are not performance-oriented and thus do not use their funding wisely. But would a more efficient system really bring measurable reductions in tuition costs?

Rafiq Dossani

commentary

Halting Aid to Egypt Over Military 'Coup' Would Hurt US Interests

Critics advocate for acknowledging that what occurred in Egypt is a coup and shutting off the more than $1.5 billion that Egypt receives annually from the US government. But this position fails to appreciate the limits of the leverage Washington derives from its aid to Cairo and the potential consequences of halting it.

Jeffrey Martini

commentary

Fighting Fit? Why Europe Needs Fewer Soldiers

If greater co-ordination were possible across European nations — allied to a more professional cadre of soldiers — far fewer troops would be required, writes Matt Bassford. A reduction in land forces could deliver savings of approximately €6.5 billion in wage costs alone.

Matt Bassford

commentary

Obama's Burmese Gamble

A year ago, the United States and Myanmar (Burma) did not even have ambassadors in each other's capitals. In May, President Thein Sein became the first leader from Myanmar to visit the White House in nearly a half-century. Has Obama's administration been too quick to embrace what was one of the world's most repressive regimes?

Jonah Blank