April 2014

Ukraine

commentary
Exposing Russia's Covert Actions
It is paramount that U.S. and European officials and the people of Ukraine understand the true situation on the ground and the extent of covert Russian operations in eastern Ukraine.
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Apr 29, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Daniel Gonzales @gonzadan, Sarah Harting

Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

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10 Ways Innovation Could Help Cure the U.S. Health Spending Problem
Many studies grapple with how to control spending by considering changing how existing technologies are used. But what if the problem could be attacked at its root by changing which drugs and devices are invented in the first place?
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Apr 29, 2014
The Health Care Blog
Steven Garber
Maritime Piracy

commentary
Why the Dangerous New Turn for Piracy Matters
Off the western coast of Africa, just north of the equator, the Gulf of Guinea has endured piracy for decades. But recent spikes in new, more dangerous forms of piracy imply a troubling sense of invincibility in the minds of the perpetrators.
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Apr 29, 2014
CNN
Anthony L. Russell
Al Qaida

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A Bigger, but Less Unified, al Qaeda
In the long run, al Qaeda might be able to reel in its more unreliable offspring, assert more control, demand their obedience, and call upon their resources to assist in global operations. But without a stronger center, that possibility seems remote.
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Apr 25, 2014
The Hill
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Passenger Traffic

commentary
Make HOT Lanes Permanent
The first HOT lanes in L.A. have improved traffic flow and travel time reliability, are fair to users of the facilities, have improved transit service and have generated revenue needed to fund those improvements from voluntary toll payments.
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Apr 23, 2014
Los Angeles Register
Martin Wachs, Brian D. Taylor
Military Acquisition and Procurement

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Improving DHS Accountability for Acquisitions
While management at the Department of Homeland Security progressed in many areas during the past decade, there is still plenty of room for growth and improvement, especially in the area of acquisition management.
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Apr 22, 2014
The RAND Blog
Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, Jeffrey A. Drezner, et al.
Affordable Care Act

commentary
Tracking the Affordable Care Act with the RAND Health Reform Opinion Study
The HROS uses panel data to track changes in public opinion regarding the ACA and insurance coverage. By surveying the same respondents each month, the HROS observes not only aggregate changes, but also individual changes in opinion or insurance coverage over time.
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Apr 22, 2014
RWJF's Human Capital Blog
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman
Health Care Technology

commentary
Health Care Innovation: The Challenge Ahead
Substantial progress could be made toward the goals of reducing spending and increasing value by altering the financial incentives faced by inventors, investors, payers, providers, and patients.
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Apr 22, 2014
The RAND Blog
Jeffrey Wasserman
Parenting

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Take Charge with Teens' Auto Safety
Driving is a risk that virtually all of us take on a daily basis. But we can do much to mitigate risks and protect our children, our community, and ourselves.
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Apr 21, 2014
Orange County Register
Jeffrey Wasserman
Operational Readiness

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The U.S. Army Must Remain Prepared for Battle
Converting the Army into a force suited only for homeland defense or humanitarian missions abroad, without the ability to fight sophisticated foes as part of a joint force, would result in an unprepared Army.
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Apr 18, 2014
The Washington Post
Gian Gentile
Arms Proliferation and Control

commentary
Too Important to Fail
Preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state would contribute to global security, and especially to the security and stability of the Middle East, but these are not the only considerations at hand.
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Apr 18, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Rebecca Gibbons
Ukraine

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The Partition of Ukraine
The argument for splitting Ukraine has little to do with either real divisions in the country or popular preferences. Until the Russian invasion of Crimea, the issue of separatism was simply absent from public debate.
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Apr 17, 2014
openDemocracy
Jana Kobzova, Svitlana Kobzar
Health Care Reform

blog
RAND Health Reform Opinion Study: Few Changes After Open Enrollment
At the close of the ACA's open enrollment period, no significant changes in opinion were observed in the RAND Health Reform Opinion Study. This may be because open enrollment has no bearing on the health insurance of many people.
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Apr 16, 2014
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman
Terrorism Threat Assessment

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After Boston, Beware DIY Attacks: Front & Center
Orlando Sentinel editorial writer Darryl E. Owens interviewed Brian Michael Jenkins, senior adviser to the president of RAND. They discussed last year's Boston Marathon bombing and the current threat of terrorist acts in the United States.
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Apr 16, 2014
Orlando Sentinel
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Developing Countries

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Maternal Deaths: Turning the Tide in a Nigerian State
Bold and innovative approaches are being developed in different parts of the African continent in the quest to reduce maternal mortality. A noteworthy example of this is the Abiye Safe Motherhood program in Ondo State, Nigeria.
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Apr 16, 2014
The RAND Blog
Adeyemi Theophilus Okunogbe
International Diplomacy

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Why Ukraine Crisis Has China in a Bind
As much as China may wish to lean on Russia should Beijing find itself at odds with the United States, Xi seeks a new type of great power relationship with the United States that calls for mutual respect, no confrontation, and cooperation.
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Apr 16, 2014
CNN
Christopher S. Chivvis, Bonny Lin