April 2014

Ukraine
commentary
Exposing Russia's Covert Actions
Daniel Gonzales @gonzadan, Sarah Harting
Apr 29, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
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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Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy
commentary
10 Ways Innovation Could Help Cure the U.S. Health Spending Problem
Steven Garber
Apr 29, 2014
The Health Care Blog
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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Maritime Piracy
commentary
Why the Dangerous New Turn for Piracy Matters
Anthony L. Russell
Apr 29, 2014
CNN
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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Al Qaida
commentary
A Bigger, but Less Unified, al Qaeda
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Apr 25, 2014
The Hill
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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Passenger Traffic
commentary
Make HOT Lanes Permanent
Martin Wachs, Brian D. Taylor
Apr 23, 2014
Los Angeles Register
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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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Improving DHS Accountability for Acquisitions
Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, Jeffrey A. Drezner, Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, Laura Patton
Apr 22, 2014
The RAND Blog
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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Affordable Care Act
commentary
Tracking the Affordable Care Act with the RAND Health Reform Opinion Study
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman
Apr 22, 2014
RWJF's Human Capital Blog
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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Health Care Technology
commentary
Health Care Innovation: The Challenge Ahead
Jeffrey Wasserman
Apr 22, 2014
The RAND Blog
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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Parenting
commentary
Take Charge with Teens' Auto Safety
Jeffrey Wasserman
Apr 21, 2014
Orange County Register
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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Operational Readiness
commentary
The U.S. Army Must Remain Prepared for Battle
Gian Gentile
Apr 18, 2014
The Washington Post
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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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Too Important to Fail
Rebecca Gibbons
Apr 18, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
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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Ukraine
commentary
The Partition of Ukraine
Jana Kobzova, Svitlana Kobzar
Apr 17, 2014
openDemocracy
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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Health Care Reform
blog
RAND Health Reform Opinion Study: Few Changes After Open Enrollment
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman
Apr 16, 2014
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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Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
After Boston, Beware DIY Attacks: Front & Center
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Apr 16, 2014
Orlando Sentinel
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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Developing Countries
commentary
Maternal Deaths: Turning the Tide in a Nigerian State
Adeyemi Theophilus Okunogbe
Apr 16, 2014
The RAND Blog
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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International Diplomacy
commentary
Why Ukraine Crisis Has China in a Bind
Christopher S. Chivvis, Bonny Lin
Apr 16, 2014
CNN
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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