May 2015

blog

Examining Police, Community Relations

The “Strengthening Police-Community Trust” panel held Wednesday at RAND's Pittsburgh offices felt ripped from the headlines, and from the outset the discussion was focused on what the moderator called “the intersection between the community and the police.”

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Business Leaders (Should) Take Note: Children Make the World Go Round

Policymakers and researchers already know that investments in society's youngest members pay dividends for society at large over lifetimes. Now businesses are beginning to catch on.

Daniel Schweppenstedde, Olga van Zijverden

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Nepal Earthquake Response Shows Need for Better International Planning

The U.S. provided supplies after the earthquake in Nepal, but they piled up at points of delivery because Nepalese customs authorities insisted that standard inspections be followed, even in an emergency situation. These kinds of bureaucratic challenges can be more easily overcome if they are identified and addressed before crises arise.

Jennifer D. P. Moroney @jdpmoroney

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As Ebola Declines, Lessons Emerge

Lessons learned through the analysis of this most recent Ebola outbreak as well as other disease outbreaks can have far-reaching consequences, helping authorities to both improve the continuing, ongoing response and plan for the best possible response to future threats.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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Caring for Our Nation's Hidden Heroes?

Thanks to a growing list of more than 100 organizations that have pledged their commitment as members of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's National Coalition for Military Caregivers, our nation is taking long overdue action to support both our wounded warriors and those who care for them.

Elizabeth Dole, Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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Breaking Down Nuclear Waste as a Two-Part Issue

The U.S. Department of Energy is now planning separate repositories for commercial waste and the waste from the military's nuclear weapons production instead of disposing of both in the same repository as originally intended. Decoupling different parts of the nuclear waste problem is a small but positive step forward.

Tom LaTourrette, Debra Knopman

blog

Test Your RAND Knowledge on Jeopardy!

RAND was once a category on the long-running TV game show Jeopardy! How much money could you have won? Take the quiz and find out.

essay

Nuclear Negotiations with Iran: Looking Ahead

As world leaders work to piece together a nuclear deal with Iran, RAND experts asked, What would change on the day after a final deal? Their analysis helps clarify what a nuclear deal would mean for the United States, the region, and the world.

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Peacetime Fuel 'Tankering' Could Save $25 Million Per Year

Fuel tankering involves carrying excess fuel on an aircraft when flying from origins where fuel is less expensive than at the destination. Tankering fuel to a conflict zone such as Afghanistan is almost always cost-effective, but the story is more complex in other regions because of the way fuel is purchased and resold within the DoD itself.

Christopher A. Mouton

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Has Islamic State Entered Afghanistan?

The bulk of the Islamic State of Khorasan is thought to be in Pakistan, but the group is trying to make inroads into Afghanistan. That said, the group's actual ability to operate in Afghanistan appears rather limited.

S. Rebecca Zimmerman

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The Death of Hostages and High-Flying Illusions

Risk is unavoidable in fighting war or terrorism. Soldiers are sometimes felled by friendly fire, and civilians ostensibly on the sidelines become accidental targets. It is unrealistic to believe that such tragedies can always be prevented. Risks can be reduced but never entirely eliminated.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Sensitivity Analyses: Shedding Unexpected Light on Results

Sensitivity analysis lets researchers test and explore some of the assumptions that underlie their findings. These might be assumptions about a relationship, data that's been excluded, or which part of an analysis is most important.

Catherine L. Saunders