2014

Employment and Unemployment
announcement
RAND Joins Coalition to Tackle Youth Unemployment
Oct 9, 2014
The RAND Corporation has joined the World Bank and other corporate and civil society leaders to establish Solutions for Youth Employment, a global coalition that acts to address the pervasive challenges of youth employment.
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Democracy
commentary
With Midterm Elections Less Than a Month Away, New Survey Data Shows Many Voters Have Made Up Their Minds
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard
Oct 9, 2014
The RAND Blog
Survey responses indicate many U.S. voters already know how they'll cast their ballots in the upcoming midterm elections. But RAND's unique methodology provides an interesting perspective on those who don't lean strongly toward Republican or Democratic candidates.
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Global Health
commentary
Ebola Outbreak: Putting the Public Back in Public Health
Melinda Moore
Oct 9, 2014
The Hill
Medical and public health systems are crucial to controlling the transmission of Ebola and treating patients. But the public's role in becoming aware and engaged, both in West Africa and the United States, cannot be overstated.
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Politics and Government
commentary
New Survey Data Indicates Increasing Polarization in the Ways Democrats and Republicans View the Role of Government in Reducing Income Inequality
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard
Oct 9, 2014
The RAND Blog
Today, Democrats are more than six times likelier than Republicans to believe the U.S. government should play a role in reducing income inequality. This is not due to differences in age, gender, education, or income distributions among the two parties.
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Military Strategy
commentary
The New Global Juggling Act
Andrew R. Hoehn
Oct 7, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Areas that have long been a focal point for defense planning -- Europe, the Middle East and East Asia -- are all facing profound and unsettling change, and the United States may no longer have the luxury of choosing among regions.
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Terrorism Financing
commentary
Hit the Islamic State's Pocketbook
Patrick B. Johnston, Benjamin Bahney
Oct 6, 2014
Newsday
The Islamic State is the world's richest terrorist group, with estimated assets of $1 billion to $2 billion. Airstrikes may disrupt the flow of oil and profits, but they won't lead to the group's financial ruin anytime soon. The Islamic State will bring in an estimated $100 million to $200 million this year.
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Afghanistan
commentary
The Future Lies in Afghanistan's Hands
S. Rebecca Zimmerman
Oct 3, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
With the signing of international security agreements this week, there's been a resurgence of hope that a bright future for Afghanistan is possible. But that future will ultimately be determined only by the Afghans.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
Does ISIL Represent a Threat to the United States?
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Oct 3, 2014
The Hill
There are legitimate questions about how to best go about preventing ISIL from consolidating its control over Iraq and Levant. But this is very different from arguing that ISIL is not a threat and that the United States therefore should stand aside as it does so.
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Childhood Trauma
blog
How Schools Can Help Students with Traumatic Stress
Oct 2, 2014
Schools are in a unique position to recognize traumatic stress in children. But first, adults throughout the school system -- including teachers, staff, administrators, school resource officers, and parents -- must be aware of the issue, know how to detect signs of trauma exposure, and create a supportive environment.
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Workforce Diversity
commentary
The Realities of Silicon Valley's Lack of Workforce Diversity
Lawrence M. Hanser, Nelson Lim
Oct 2, 2014
San Francisco Chronicle
Major Silicon Valley tech firms have released statistics indicating their workforces are largely made up of white men. Corporate America is on the receiving end of a complex chain of social and educational factors that continue to leave minorities behind in terms of college graduation, and both minorities and women behind in terms of STEM degrees.
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Smoking Cessation
commentary
Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarettes Are Scary, but Do They Work?
Deborah M. Scharf, William G. Shadel @william_shadel
Sep 30, 2014
The Health Care Blog
'Graphic warning labels' pair gruesome images with warnings about the dangers of smoking, covering anywhere from 30 to 80 percent of cigarette pack 'faces' (the front and back). Do they prevent people from starting to smoke or cause current smokers to quit?
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Recidivism
commentary
Using Education to Stop the Prison Revolving Door
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Sep 30, 2014
AL.com
Providing education and vocational training to inmates is a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism rates, thus shrinking prison populations and easing the strain on prison budgets. Education is far less expensive than incarceration.
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Iran
commentary
Why Iran Can't Walk Away from Nuclear Talks So Easily
Alireza Nader
Sep 26, 2014
The National Interest
If the public inflexibility of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif isn't mere diplomatic posturing, they would be gambling not only with their own political futures, but the futures of 80 million Iranians as well.
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Military Doctrine
commentary
An Inconvenient War
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Sep 25, 2014
The Hill
Congress has not addressed President Obama's plans to take other military steps against ISIS. Some members of Congress do not want to vote on the use of military force until after the upcoming elections. Among these are some who fear their vote could cost them votes.
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Counterterrorism
commentary
War with ISIS: What Does Victory Look Like?
Andrew Liepman, Philip Mudd
Sep 25, 2014
CNN
We should start the campaign with an achievable definition of victory and a reasonable expectation about what that will take. We want to degrade ISIS so its ability to attack us and our interests is minimized, and to aid allies — particularly Iraqis and Middle Eastern governments who are willing to commit even limited forces.
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