August 2014

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

commentary
NATO's Crucial Summit
President Obama can take action now to ensure the September NATO summit in Wales underscores transatlantic resolve and capability in the face of Russian aggression and provide the strong, decisive U.S. leadership NATO needs in this time of crisis.
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Aug 15, 2014
CNN
F. Stephen Larrabee, Ian J. Brzezinski
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

commentary
To Fight ISIS, Make Peace with Syria's Assad
To disrupt al-Baghdadi's advance, the United States and its allies should start by addressing the source of the problem -- the conflict in Syria. They can begin by negotiating a truce with President Bashar Assad to stop the fighting in Syria.
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Aug 14, 2014
USA Today
William Young
Iraq

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What's Going on in Iraq?
While the United States could embark on a much wider war in Iraq, there's little reason to think it will rush to do so or that using airpower to help defend the Kurds will make such an escalation inevitable.
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Aug 14, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
Karl P. Mueller
College-Bound Students

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The Price for Student Satisfaction and Success in Higher Education
Choosing the right university and the best course of study is one of the most important decisions young people and parents will make. Not everyone makes the right decision. Of the wide range of factors involved in choosing a university, how important are university tuition fees to young people and their parents?
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Aug 14, 2014
The RAND Blog
Benoit Guerin
Veterans Health Care

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Improving the Experience of Veterans Seeking Mental Health and Substance Use Care
Last week, President Obama signed a bill to overhaul care provided by the Veterans Health Administration. This is an important step, but attention to veterans' experiences receiving care, particularly veterans in need of mental health and substance use care, should be an essential component to ongoing efforts to improve quality.
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Aug 13, 2014
The RAND Blog
Kimberly A. Hepner @KimberlyHepner
Terrorism Financing

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Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts: Disrupt ISIS's Cash Flow in Iraq
President Obama's decision last week to conduct airstrikes against ISIS and send humanitarian aid will help buy time for both Iraqi and Kurdish forces to regroup. But Baghdad needs a strategy that aligns the political and economic interests of all Iraqis to hit ISIS where it hurts: its war chest.
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Aug 13, 2014
The New York Times
Patrick B. Johnston, Benjamin Bahney
Methodology

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The Telescope and the Microscope: Public Policy Wisdom from Victor Hugo
The best policy analysis reveals both the hidden details of an issue and its broader context.
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Aug 12, 2014
RAND Review
Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich
Mental Health and Illness

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We Need to Talk About the Taboo — 'Mental Health Matters'
The stigma surrounding mental health often leads young people to shy away from seeking the help and support they need. This year's celebration of the UN's International Youth Day (12th August) focuses on mental health and aims to remove the stigma.
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Aug 11, 2014
The RAND Blog
Marie-Louise Henham
Methodology

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Response to 'Study on Parental Longevity Is Short on Causation'
The possible effects of families on health and mortality is an extremely complex topic. No single study or type of study is exactly a test of the argument. We need more studies that advance possible interpretations and describe patterns of associations in broad populations of interest.
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Aug 11, 2014
New York Times
Esther M. Friedman, Robert D. Mare
Emerging Technologies

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Crime Victims: Silicon Valley Tech Industry Can Get Them the Help They Need
A broader approach is needed to better address the needs of millions of American victims of crimes like sexual assault, family violence, financial exploitation, gun violence, identity theft, burglary and stalking. And that's where Silicon Valley's tech community can step up.
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Aug 11, 2014
The Mercury News
Nelson Lim
Epidemic

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Six Takeaways from the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
No amount of research can save those who've already perished from Ebola in West Africa, but our capacity to learn from such tragedies is a silver lining that has historically enhanced global resilience to disease. With that in mind, here are six key lessons from the outbreak.
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Aug 8, 2014
The RAND Blog
Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel, Peter Chalk
European Union

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Step It Up, Europe
Despite the latest sanctions on Russia, the European Union will need to do more to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. In addition to much tougher economic sanctions, NATO could help Ukrainians by providing military assistance, weapons, training, and intelligence, and deploying air and naval forces closer to the conflict.
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Aug 6, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
James A. Thomson @thomson0145
Military Health and Health Care

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Military and Veteran Mental Health: Why Should Psychiatrists Care?
What's happening in the mental health world of the U.S. military and veterans is of great interest to all American psychiatrists. The local impact of recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan runs much deeper than just the number of veterans in a particular practice or community.
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Aug 6, 2014
Psychiatric Times
Charles C. Engel
Afghanistan

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Iraq's Lessons for Afghanistan
The successes of ISIS and other Sunni groups have raised important questions about the wisdom of America's decision to withdraw U.S. military forces from Iraq in 2011. They raise equally significant questions about the U.S. decision to exit Afghanistan in the future.
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Aug 4, 2014
Lawfare
Seth G. Jones