2013

Global Security
commentary
Building a More Secure American Embassy
William Young
Sep 5, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
The recent decision to close 19 U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East and Africa because of intelligence indicating terrorist planning for unspecific attacks underscores the need to continue focusing attention and resources on the danger al-Qaida and its affiliates pose to the United States and its allies.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Double Trouble: A Realist View of Rising Chinese and Indian Power
George J. Gilboy, Eric Heginbotham
Sep 5, 2013
The RAND Blog
Washington sees Indian power as part of the solution to the challenges posed by the rise of China, but this view underestimates the complex, sometimes inter-related challenges America will face as both Asian giants become more powerful, write George J. Gilboy and Eric Heginbotham.
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Community Resilience
commentary
Translating Policy Into Action to Build Community Resilience
Anita Chandra, Joie D. Acosta
Sep 4, 2013
The RAND Blog
The philosophy and motivation surrounding community resilience has strongly resonated with community leaders but there remains a divide between how experts articulate resilience policy and how that policy translates to on-the-ground implementation. Building Community Resilience: An Online Training addresses that tension.
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blog
For Pardee RAND Graduate School, a $3.6 Million Gift
Sep 4, 2013
Frederick S. Pardee, a former RAND researcher, contributed $3.6 million to support the Pardee RAND Graduate School and to create its Pardee Initiative for Global Human Progress. His generous gift will seed projects that help those in developing countries.
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Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
Syria's Growing Jihad
Seth G. Jones
Sep 3, 2013
Survival: Global Politics and Strategy
The escalating war in Syria presents a growing threat to the Middle East and the West more broadly. Led by groups like Jabhat al-Nusra (the Victory Front), an al-Qaeda-affiliated organization, Syria is becoming a training ground for foreign fighters and a microcosm of sectarian conflict.
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blog
Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase Dies at Age 102
Sep 3, 2013
Announcement of the death of RAND Alumni and Nobel Laureate Ronald Coase on September 2nd, 2013
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Media Influences on Health
blog
What Effect Does Media Have on Youth?
Sep 3, 2013
American youth live in an environment saturated with media. What effects does this have on their health and well-being?
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Rowhani's Syria Dilemma
Alireza Nader
Aug 30, 2013
ForeignPolicy.com
Syria is Iran's only real state ally in the Middle East. But Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's behavior puts Iranian leaders, especially the newly elected President Hassan Rowhani, in a quandary.
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Terrorist Organizations
blog
Al Qaeda, Hezbollah on the Verge of Sectarian War in Lebanon
Aug 30, 2013
Tensions between rival militant groups al Qaeda and Hezbollah have reached a fever pitch following bombings at two mosques in Lebanon, making a bloody sectarian conflict an increasingly real possibility.
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Syria
q&a
RAND Experts Q&A on Syria
Aug 30, 2013
There are increasing reports suggesting that President Obama will soon take military action against the Syrian government, perhaps targeting its chemical weapons facilities. Several RAND experts spoke with us about the latest developments.
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Affordable Care Act
commentary
Data Points: Why Delay of the Employer Mandate May Not Actually Mean That Much
Carter C. Price @CarterCPrice, Evan Saltzman
Aug 29, 2013
The Health Care Blog
The bottom line is that the employer mandate does not provide a large inducement for firms to change their health insurance offerings, but it does raise a substantial amount of money to pay for the ACA's coverage provisions over time.
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Community-Based Health Care
commentary
Using the Power of Communities to Beat Depression
Kenneth B. Wells, Loretta Jones
Aug 27, 2013
The RAND Blog
Under-resourced communities of color have limited access to programs that could improve recognition and treatment of depression. RAND and UCLA investigators applied an engagement model to determine how to better serve these communities.
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Decisionmaking
commentary
Surprise! Now What?
Dave Baiocchi, D. Steven Fox
Aug 27, 2013
the October 2013 edition of Leadership Excellence magazine and on The RAND Blog
Who is best prepared for responding to surprise: a Navy SEAL, an NFL coach, or a Fortune 500 CEO? The answer is that all three professions have something to teach us: The NFL coach is an expert in pre-planning; the SEAL is great under pressure; and a good CEO has become an expert in responding to strategic threats.
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Egypt
commentary
What's Next for the Muslim Brotherhood?
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Aug 26, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
Some believe the Muslim Brotherhood should stay in the political game, adopting the role of loyal opposition. The Brotherhood would remain a minority party, but it could continue to hold offices, provide social assistance that the government does not, and demonstrate its continuing strength at the polls.
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Military Tactics
commentary
U.S., China and an Unthinkable War
David C. Gompert, Terrence Kelly
Aug 26, 2013
Los Angeles Times
Although the China-U.S. agenda is jammed with pressing issues, time must be found to improve procedures and channels to defuse crises and avert military miscalculation. Political leaders should not wait for a crisis before scrutinizing war-fighting plans and insisting on ones that strengthen, not weaken, stability.
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