2014

Cybersecurity

commentary
After a Year of Major Hacks, 2015 Resolutions to Bolster Cyber Security
With numerous data breaches and emerging software vulnerabilities, 2014 was the year the hack went viral. But realizing a few New Year's resolutions in 2015 could help defenders make strides in protection, tools, and techniques to gain the edge over cyber attackers in years to come.
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Dec 31, 2014
Lillian Ablon

Domestic Violence

commentary
Domestic Violence as a Way of Life: The Reality for Papua New Guinea's Women
Violence against women is a persistent problem around the world. That's particularly true of Papua New Guinea, where abuse of women by domestic partners, gang members, and members of law enforcement is widespread, drawing comparisons to conditions in conflict zones.
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Dec 31, 2014
Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik
Vocational Education

commentary
Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System
Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?
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Dec 31, 2014
Louay Constant, Cathy Stasz, et al.
Russia

commentary
Yes, Russia's Military Is Getting More Aggressive
As Russia's relations with the U.S. and Europe have deteriorated following Moscow's aggression in Ukraine, fly-bys of European neighbors by Russian aircraft have taken on new urgency. How should the West think about these provocative flights in light of understanding Russia's nuclear threat?
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Dec 31, 2014
James T. Quinlivan
Infectious Diseases

commentary
What Have We Learned from the Ebola Outbreak?
For much of 2014, the world has confronted the most deadly Ebola outbreak since the discovery of the disease in 1976. What lessons have emerged? What should the world do to better prepare for transnational outbreaks?
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Dec 31, 2014
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Russia

commentary
Rapprochement with Russia?
The ruble's fragility presents an opportunity for American and European diplomats to offer Putin a deal that de-escalates the war in Ukraine, provides Russia sanctions relief, and revitalizes Moscow's economic ties with the West.
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Dec 30, 2014
Hans Binnendijk, Olga Oliker, et al.
Diet and Eating Habits

commentary
A New Year's Resolution: Target Practices That Undermine Weight Control
Many will vow to lose weight in the coming year, but most will inevitably fail, not from lack of motivation or knowledge but from insuperable forces undermining their best intentions. America should resolve to address obesity where it begins: the point of purchase.
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Dec 29, 2014
Deborah A. Cohen
Marriage and Divorce

commentary
Gay Marriage Gains Support, but It's Still a Partisan Issue
Survey data provides evidence that the majority of American voters support the legalization of gay marriage and think it should be decided at the federal level. Republicans are substantially less likely to support legalization, and lower income, lower educational attainment, being older, and being non-white are significantly associated with lower levels of support.
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Dec 29, 2014
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard
College-Bound Students

commentary
College Ratings and Affordable Education
There are reasons to believe American students from the middle- and lower-income tiers aren't making affordable college choices. Can a new ratings system help them make better, more affordable decisions?
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Dec 24, 2014
Rafiq Dossani
Russia

commentary
How Russia Can Recover from Its Economic and Strategic Decline
Few expect that Moscow will cede Crimea or end its opposition to NATO expansion anytime soon. But Russia can still begin to reverse its strategic decline. Expanding opportunities for Russia's people, reforming the economy, and improving relations with neighbors are the way forward.
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Dec 24, 2014
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.
North Korea

commentary
Is the North Korean Regime Out of Control?
Evidence points to North Korean involvement in the Sony hack. But it's impossible to know if top regime leaders sanctioned the attack or if it was carried out by another part of the government without their knowledge and consent. An unauthorized hack would only add to Kim Jong-un's worry over his regime's instability.
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Dec 23, 2014
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Humanities and the Arts

announcement
Donald B. and Susan F. Rice Support Pardee RAND's 'Be the Answer' Campaign with $1 Million Gift
Longtime RAND supporters Donald B. and Susan F. Rice, for the third time, have established an endowed scholarship at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Their most recent gift of $1 million was generously donated as part of Pardee RAND's Be the Answer campaign, which Don Rice chairs and which has thus far raised in excess of $19 million.
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Dec 19, 2014
International Diplomacy

commentary
An Iran Nuclear Deal Is Still Possible, and Here's Why
The United States and other world powers returned to the negotiating table this week to try to finalize a nuclear agreement with Iran after announcing a seven-month extension in late November. How did the parties get this far?
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Dec 19, 2014
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Terrorism

commentary
A Grim Choice: The Attempted Rescue of Hostages
Many described the attempt to rescue Luke Somers from al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen as 'botched,' suggesting it was badly or carelessly planned or executed. 'Desperate' may be more apt. Such measures aren't undertaken without a grim calculus weighing the chances of success against a range of other outcomes, most of which involve the hostages' doom.
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Dec 19, 2014
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Crime and Violence Prevention

commentary
What Research Says About Profiling
When police take action on the basis of race, creed, or ethnicity it is corrosive, unfair, ineffective, and can stoke the flames of police-community tension. But as we have found from a variety of assessments, law enforcement is best served when it bases its activities on risk, not on personal characteristics.
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Dec 18, 2014
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
Australia

blog
Could the Sydney Cafe Siege Happen Elsewhere?
As the world mourns those lost in the Sydney cafe siege, investigations have begun examining the efficacy of Australia's anti-terrorism measures and details about the background and motives of the gunman. At the same time, terrorism experts are reflecting on where else such an attack could emerge.
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Dec 17, 2014