June 2014

Iraq
commentary
A Long-Term Strategy for a Democratic Iraq
Ben Connable
Jun 30, 2014
War on the Rocks
Unfortunately, no strategic option for a unified, democratic Iraq has a good chance of success. But any well-considered option that doesn't involve ineffective killing or risking U.S. lives is preferable to simply allowing Iraq to disintegrate and feed broader regional instability.
Read More »

Transportation Security
commentary
Sounding the Car Alarm on Hackers
Isaac R. Porche III, Timothy M. Bonds
Jun 30, 2014
The San Francisco Chronicle
Security protections on vehicles have not kept pace with systems that control safety features, navigation capabilities, and wireless communication functions. Onboard computer networks will likely become much more attractive to hackers, whether their aim is to steal a car, eavesdrop on a conversation, stalk a potential victim, or cause a devastating traffic accident.
Read More »
Counterterrorism
blog
Jones Named Head of International Security and Defense Policy Center at RAND
Jun 30, 2014
Seth Jones, a specialist in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism research, has been named director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at the RAND Corporation.
Read More »
Environmental Regulation
commentary
New Coal Plant Rules Need Sustained Support to Succeed
Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Steven W. Popper
Jun 30, 2014
The Sacramento Bee
Stopping climate change will require the United States and the rest of the world to virtually eliminate emissions over the course of the 21st century. Getting anywhere close to zero emissions demands sustained political and public support, driven by an energy production sector given enough incentives to make carbon reduction succeed.
Read More »
Veterans Health Care
commentary
Private Mental Health Providers Must Stand Ready to Help Veterans
Mark Pollack, Terri Tanielian
Jun 27, 2014
The Hill
Not all veterans wish to seek services at or through the VA, and many may not meet eligibility criteria. The VA is a critical component of the health care delivery system for former U.S. servicemembers, but it cannot and should not comprise the system alone.
Read More »
Iran
commentary
The Fallacy of Iranian Leverage
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Jun 27, 2014
Foreign Affairs
Rather than helping Iran in the nuclear negotiations, Iran's battle against the ISIS could actually hurt it. The broader strategic dynamics were already working against Iran, and the situation in Iraq has only made that more true.
Read More »
Cardiovascular Disorders
commentary
Have You Estimated Your Cardiovascular Risk?
Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD
Jun 26, 2014
Sister to Sister
Research suggests that setting a baseline by getting an estimate of your individual cardiovascular risk can help you see more clearly what you have at stake and what you can do to improve your chances of a long and healthy life.
Read More »
commentary
Are Youth Putting Off Marriage Because of Their Student Loan Debt?
Robert Bozick
Jun 26, 2014
The RAND Blog
Women with higher loan balances may be less likely to get married than their peers with lower or no loan balances. But as time goes on, young adults adjust to their post-college financial situation and eventually get promotions, earn raises, obtain other assets, and get married.
Read More »
Emergency Services and Response
commentary
An Enduring Need for Better Measures of Emergency Preparedness
Brian A. Jackson
Jun 25, 2014
The RAND Blog
In an era of fiscal austerity, the need for measurement and assessment becomes manifold. Tied to good government goals and responsible stewardship of public funds, measurements are also necessary to educate the public about what it should—and should not—reasonably expect when disaster strikes.
Read More »
blog
Former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole Urges Graduates to Use Storytelling to Advance Policy
Jun 24, 2014
Facts and objective analysis are important, but for policy analysts to make a difference in the real world they also have to be able to tell a story, former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole said at the June 21 Pardee RAND Graduate School commencement.
Read More »
Military Families
blog
Ask Me Anything: Rajeev Ramchand on Military Caregivers
Jun 24, 2014
With military caregivers quickly becoming a topic of national discussion, RAND's Rajeev Ramchand hosted an
Read More »
Nation Building
commentary
Is Afghanistan the Next to Crumble?
S. Rebecca Zimmerman
Jun 24, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Amid the stunning rout of Iraqi forces in northern Iraq, many have asked whether a similar reversal of American foreign policy goals is possible in Afghanistan. The answer is a qualified yes. Now is the time for the United States to understand Afghanistan's coming struggle, and to help Afghans build a path to stability.
Read More »
Data Analysis
commentary
How Do We Deal with a Flood of Data?
Isaac R. Porche III, Bradley Wilson, Erin-Elizabeth Johnson
Jun 23, 2014
Future Force
Despite the value of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, the amount of data they generate has become overwhelming. If the Navy does not change the way it processes information, it will reach an ISR “tipping point”—as soon as 2016.
Read More »
Afghanistan
commentary
Victory, Afghan Style
Jonah Blank
Jun 23, 2014
Foreign Affairs
A good outcome in Afghanistan seems less likely now than it did a few weeks ago, but there is still cause for guarded optimism: before this electoral season began, few observers would have guessed that the final showdown would be between a pair of level-headed pro-Western moderates rather than two foul, bloodstained warlords.
Read More »
Environmental Sustainability
announcement
$5 Million Cazier Gift to Pardee RAND Graduate School Launches Environmental and Energy Sustainability Initiative
Jun 20, 2014
A $5 million gift from engineer and philanthropist John M. Cazier will turbocharge research in environmental and energy sustainability at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.
Read More »
Terrorism Risk Insurance
blog
RAND Research Influences Debate on Terrorism Insurance
Jun 19, 2014
To inform the debate on whether the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) should be continued or allowed to expire, RAND prepared policy briefs on three topics of central concern to policymakers: national security perspectives, the impact on federal spending, and the impact on workers' compensation markets.
Read More »