2015

Military Recruitment
commentary
Go Slow on Arming Recruiters
Ben Connable
Jul 31, 2015
The Hill
Several important voices have argued for arming military recruiters in the wake of the recent shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Giving them a chance to fight back against an active shooter may be a sound proposition, but practicalities of military recruiting suggest a patient and thoughtful policy review.
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Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
The 1970s and the Birth of Contemporary Terrorism
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Jul 30, 2015
The Hill
While terrorism worldwide has increased over the past four decades — and the threat of terrorism continues to dominate Americans' fears — the 14 years since 9/11 have been tranquil on the home front compared to the violent 1970s.
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Medicare
commentary
Medicare at 50: How Reforming End-of-Life Care Could Benefit It for Years to Come
Erin Audrey Taylor
Jul 30, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
As Medicare turns 50, skyrocketing health care costs and the aging of baby boomers both threaten the program's long-term viability. One solution that could go a long way would be to change the way the program handles and pays for end-of-life care.
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Public Utilities
commentary
What Durban Can Teach Detroit: Getting Customers to Pay Their Water Bills
Julia Pollak
Jul 29, 2015
The RAND Blog
South Africa is proving that governments in poor cities can provide water and collect payment without turning off the water spigot. Detroit and Baltimore might consider exploring models like this that have been successfully tested in even more challenging settings.
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Immigrants and Emigrants
commentary
Should Undocumented Immigrant Youth Pay In-State Tuition to Attend College?
Robert Bozick
Jul 28, 2015
The RAND Blog
Undocumented children are entitled to free primary and secondary public education everywhere in the United States, regardless of their legal status. But when they finish high school, their options for college vary depending on the state in which they live.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
It's Time to Reboot Our Relationship with Russia and Iran's Neighbors
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Richard Kauzlarich
Jul 28, 2015
Newsweek
In implementing the prospective Iran nuclear agreement, the West cannot forget its engagement in the vulnerable South Caucasus. The Iran deal changes the equation for all three countries and perhaps opens new opportunities.
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Iran
commentary
Post Deal, Can Rouhani Deliver on Promises of Reform?
Alireza Nader
Jul 24, 2015
Al-Monitor
Rouhani was elected president because he offered hope; he claimed that the nuclear agreement would be the key to unlock or solve Iran's problems. But it will take more than that to make Iran a better place to live. Can he achieve his people's dreams? Is he even willing?
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Crime
commentary
El Chapo's Prison Escape Should Come as No Surprise
Scott Savitz
Jul 24, 2015
Fox News Channel
Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel and similar criminal organizations have long used tunnels to literally undermine security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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The Internet
commentary
War on the Web
Morten Bay, Isaac R. Porche III
Jul 23, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
While the U.S. Cyber Command is preparing the nation's defenses for the coming ramp-up in cyberwarfare-like attacks, the messages spread instantly by hordes of attackers through social media may not be receiving the attention they deserve.
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Threat Assessment
commentary
Reports of Global Disorder Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Jul 22, 2015
Foreign Policy
Deterring Russia, channeling growing Chinese power, and working with others to dismantle the Islamic State are daunting challenges, but not greater than rebuilding post-World War II Europe, containing the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War, and promoting democratic governance throughout much of the modern world.
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Transportation Economics
commentary
Pay as You Go
Liisa Ecola
Jul 22, 2015
Politico
Using vehicle miles traveled as a means of distributing the cost of maintaining America's roads and bridges may not be the only answer, but it represents the kind of innovative thinking that is necessary at a time when this sector of the American transportation infrastructure is desperately in need of a fix.
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Iran
commentary
Iran Deal or No Deal
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Alireza Nader
Jul 22, 2015
War on the Rocks
A U.S. rejection of the Iran nuclear agreement would send the wrong message, not only to Iran but also to America's closest allies, and it would not serve American interests in the region.
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Diet and Eating Habits
commentary
Junk Food: Why People Can't Control Themselves and What to Do About It
Deborah A. Cohen
Jul 21, 2015
The RAND Blog
Americans consumed far less junk when it wasn't so widespread. Consumption accelerated when marketers discovered they could stimulate 'impulse buys.'
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Peace in the Middle East: America's New Post-Iran Deal Challenge
Dalia Dassa Kaye, Jeffrey Martini
Jul 20, 2015
The National Interest
It is no surprise that the final Iran nuclear deal was met with opposition in Israel and Saudi Arabia. For all the talk about whether or not this is a good deal, negotiating with Iran was the original sin from their perspective.
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Refugees
commentary
Help Syria Avoid a 'Lost Generation'
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Tom Ling, Marie-Louise Henham, Jennie Corbett
Jul 17, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Young Syrian refugees are brimming with potential, but lack the educational and livelihood pathways through which to channel their energy and aspirations. As the international community looks for ways to end the violence in the region, it must not overlook the plight or the potential of these children.
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