2014

Security Cooperation
commentary
What's the Plan? The NATO Coalition in Afghanistan
Jason H. Campbell @JasonHCampbell
Nov 19, 2014
War on the Rocks
The imminent changes to the NATO mission in Afghanistan will be profound and, more crucially, carry unpredictable outcomes. After January 1, the removal of tens of thousands of coalition troops will trigger an inevitable period of adjustment as all sides involved in the conflict press for a new equilibrium that tilts in its favor.
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Weapons of Mass Destruction
commentary
N.K. WMDs Carry Catastrophic Potential
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Nov 19, 2014
The Korea Herald
The failure of the United States and South Korea to prevent North Korea from gaining significant quantities of weapons of mass destruction saddles those governments with serious military responsibilities, should North Korea go to war or should its government collapse.
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Veterans Health Care
commentary
Military Turns to Collaborative Care to Treat PTSD, Depression
Charles C. Engel @CharlesEngel
Nov 19, 2014
Psychiatric News
Collaborative care has been an important part of Army efforts to reach out to those struggling with PTSD and depression. It has brought a science-based solution to an essential military problem and has helped thousands of men and women in uniform in ways that also nudge the larger mental health system toward greater effectiveness for all Americans.
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Politics and Government
blog
What Makes a Good Leader? Ask Pope Francis, or Lady Gaga
Nov 18, 2014
What makes an effective state? What makes a good leader? Panelists at RAND's Politics Aside event discussed leadership, governance, and how the service part of democracies has become too politicized.
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Cost-Effectiveness in Health Care
commentary
Knowing When to Say Yes to Medical Technology
Emmett B. Keeler
Nov 18, 2014
The Health Care Blog
CT lung cancer screening turns out to be like many new medical technologies: It improves health but is quite expensive. Moreover, it needs implementation that targets those most likely to benefit and provides them the care they need efficiently.
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Health Care Delivery Approaches
blog
Innovations in Health Care: New Treatments, Changing Systems
Nov 18, 2014
From the Affordable Care Act and new advances in medical technology to the impact of the aging population, panelists at RAND's Politics Aside discussed a wide-range of topics affecting America's health care system today and into the future.
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Myanmar
commentary
Myanmar's Slow Path to Democracy
Peter Chalk
Nov 17, 2014
al Jazeera
The U.S. and its allies must act decisively and provide a strong foundation for Myanmar's long-term transformation. A failure to carefully guide the country's successful transition to a civilian rule would be a missed opportunity for the Obama administration and, more important, for Myanmar's 51 million citizens.
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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
commentary
A Thaw in Asia
Timothy R. Heath, Michael S. Chase
Nov 17, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this week raised hope for the near term that the leaders of both countries can ease tensions between Asia's two largest economies.
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Markets
blog
The Risks and Rewards of Emerging Markets
Nov 16, 2014
Emerging markets may offer challenges ranging from corruption to the threat of violence, but the rewards can be worth the risks, experts said during a panel discussion at RAND's Politics Aside event.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
blog
ISIS in Perspective
Nov 15, 2014
While ISIS poses a threat to the U.S., violence from the group is not likely to be aimed directly at the American homeland any time soon, according to a panel of experts who discussed the Middle East at RAND's Politics Aside event. But an attack could be mounted against the U.S. if ISIS were to establish a nation from the territory it holds in Syria and Iraq.
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Community Resilience
blog
Investing in Resilient Cities
Nov 15, 2014
It's time to change the paradigm from disaster response and recovery to building resilient communities, said Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, at RAND's Politics Aside event.
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Cybersecurity
blog
Setting Standards for Cyber Security
Nov 14, 2014
Developing international norms and standards about appropriate cyber security activity by nations, groups, and even individuals is key to governing online activity in the future, said NSA Director Adm. Michael S. Rogers during a panel discussion at RAND's Politics Aside event.
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Space Science and Technology
blog
Space Talk Launches Politics Aside
Nov 14, 2014
Hundreds of guests packed the Cary Grant Theatre at Sony Studios Thursday night to kick off RAND's biennial Politics Aside event with a panel discussion on space technology, policy, and leadership.
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Afghanistan
commentary
Afghanistan After America: A Fragile Stability
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Nov 14, 2014
The Mark News
Since 2011, the United States, the Afghan government, and the Taliban have engaged in intermittent and often indirect talks about peace negotiations. It may be stalemate on the battlefield that eventually forces the parties to break this stalemate over the shape of a peace process.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Ignore Flap Over Obama Letter
Alireza Nader
Nov 14, 2014
CNN
While it is not surprising that the alleged letter from President Obama to Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei has upset domestic critics of the nuclear negotiations, the alleged correspondence has also unsettled Israel and Saudi Arabia, which fear a 'bad' deal with Iran and even secret collusion between Washington and Tehran. But such concerns seem unfounded.
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