April 2016

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How to Galvanise the NHS to Adopt Innovation

Two achievable and workable high-level approaches can help innovation take place within the National Health Service. These focus on mobilising people, and systems within the health service.

Sonja Marjanovic @SonjaCambs, Stuart Parris

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Get Ready: Syria Will Need Peacekeepers

For regional security and to deprive ISIS of what is still its most compelling and important sanctuary in the world today, the U.S. needs a new strategy for Syria that includes willingness to contribute to a substantial postwar military operation to stabilize the country.

Michael O'Hanlon, Sean M. Zeigler

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Ransomware Hackers Are Coming for Your Health Records

Cyber criminals may be preying on hospitals because cyber protection measures likely have not kept pace with electronic data collection and because hospitals typically do not have backup systems and databases in place, even though such attacks can strain health care systems and potentially put patients' lives at risk.

Lillian Ablon, Mark W. Friedberg

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The Latest from the RAND Presidential Election Panel Survey

RAND's panel survey examines voter attitudes, intentions, and choices, and how these change throughout the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Some sizeable shifts in positions occurred in survey results from December to March.

Michael S. Pollard @MichaelSPollard, Joshua Mendelsohn

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The High Stakes of 'Soft Skills'

With the recent passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Congress is broadening what it considers success when it comes to judging school quality. One potential new indicator being discussed in some states is social and emotional learning, which has been linked to success later in life.

Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

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A New Kind of Battlefield Awaits the U.S. Military — Megacities

Megacities are urban areas that seep into one another and have more than 10 million inhabitants. To counter violent non-state actors operating in megacities in the future, the U.S. military will have to be able to piece together a comprehensive and actionable intelligence picture, and under enormously challenging circumstances.

Chad C. Serena, Colin P. Clarke

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Ten Years After the Safe Port Act, Are America's Ports Secure?

The economic importance and visibility of America's ports make them attractive terrorism targets. Port security has improved, but many of the threats that motivated the Safe Ports Act in 2006 remain, and new dangers have emerged, including cyber threats.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis

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THAAD's Effect on South Korea's Neighbors

It is hard to determine how China or Russia will respond to THAAD deployment in South Korea. THAAD deployment could change the dynamic and terms of the debate, leading to greater Chinese pressure on North Korea to curb its nuclear and missile threats.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

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Matching and Migration: Lessons from a Resettlement Programme in Indonesia

With careful planning, resettlement remains a feasible and politically attractive option for coping with environmentally-induced migration in many settings. The lessons from Indonesia's Transmigration program can help inform ongoing resettlement planning.

Alexander D. Rothenberg, Samuel Bazzi, et al.

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A New Tool to Assess the Costs and Effectiveness of Traffic Crash Interventions

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the U.S. An online tool can help policymakers understand the available evidence-based interventions that can help prevent crash injuries and deaths, what they will cost, and how effective they will be in their state.

Liisa Ecola, Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel

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The Police Could Be Controlling Your Self-Driving Car

As self-driving cars become widespread, one of the biggest issues will be the rules under which public infrastructures and public safety officers may be empowered to override how autonomous vehicles are controlled.

Martin C. Libicki

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Will the PLA Reforms Succeed?

Reforms within the Chinese People's Liberation Army are in the process of delivering sweeping changes to its day-to-day operations, despite concerns held by some military members. Whether or not the overall implementation is successful as envisioned, assessing the operational implications of the reforms will require more time.

Cristina L. Garafola @CLGarafola

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Impact of Iran Nuclear Deal Discussed at RAND Event

As part of the ongoing Conversations at RAND request, Alireza Nader, senior international policy analyst at RAND Corporation, spoke to Dan Simpson about the future of Iran, at RAND's Pittsburgh office on March 30.

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How Russia Undermines Nuclear Security

Russian aggression in Ukraine and nuclear saber rattling are jeopardizing the very global nonproliferation efforts that this week's Nuclear Security Summit in Washington seeks to further. Moscow's actions deserve a stronger response than they have received.

William Courtney @courtneywmh, John Herbst

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The Online Fight Against ISIS

To prevail against ISIS in cyberspace, the United States and its cyber soldiers will have to be capable of reacting quickly, while being guided by an overarching strategy. Secretary of Defense Carter urged U.S. Cyber Command to intensify the fight against ISIS but it would also be wise to recruit civilian volunteers.

Colin P. Clarke, Isaac R. Porche III