2017

Chemical Weapons and Warfare
commentary
Assad's Attacks Should Not Be Repeated, Forgotten, or Excused
Ted Clark
Aug 15, 2017
Foreign Policy Concepts
Despite signing the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty in October 2013, Assad has continued chemical attacks on the Syrian opposition. To counter Assad and others who might turn to the use of chemical weapons, the U.S. could collaborate with other major powers to bolster the international ban on them.
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Global Security
commentary
Dealing with Global Hot Spots in Times of Domestic Upheaval
David C. Gompert
Aug 14, 2017
Fox News Channel
The United States faces growing dangers of war in three parts of the globe: North Korea, Syria, and the South China Sea. How will it manage any—let alone all—of them, especially with political turmoil at the highest levels at home?
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Privatizing the Military Unlikely to Be a Viable Solution in Afghanistan
Molly Dunigan
Aug 14, 2017
The National Interest
Operational contractors are now an entrenched part of the Department of Defense’s total force and are here to stay. But replacing U.S. military personnel with contractors is not likely to be a militarily effective solution for the Afghanistan problem.
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North Korea
commentary
The North Korea Standoff: Have We Been Here Before?
James A. Thomson @thomson0145
Aug 14, 2017
Newsweek
How the United States responded to China's nuclear weapons program last century can provide lessons for today's debate about North Korea. For instance, the conclusion that the only option is deterrence is still sound.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
How Did North Korea Get Its Nuclear Capabilities So Far So Fast?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Aug 14, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
The recent North Korean missile tests and other provocations have sent shock waves through the global national security community and heightened tensions throughout the region. How has North Korea increased its missile capabilities so dramatically in such a short period of time?
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Nation Building
commentary
Islamic State 2.0
Seth G. Jones
Aug 10, 2017
The Wall Street Journal
Many of Iraq's Sunnis are frustrated with the slow pace of reconstruction and a Baghdad government they consider too friendly to Iran. The U.S. needs to shift from supporting military operations in cities such as Mosul to helping the Iraqi government better address political grievances. Failure risks sowing the seeds of ISIS's resurgence.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Contain, Deter, Transform: A Winning Strategy on North Korea
Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr, Michael Johnson
Aug 9, 2017
The Hill
North Korea's missile tests and reported progress in nuclear warhead design have produced a volatile new urgency in U.S. policy. Contain, deter, and transform isn't a radical solution, but it's one that has worked before. This approach could preserve U.S. interests while avoiding war.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
Lowdown on Pyeongtaek Garrison
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Aug 8, 2017
The Korea Times
Camp Humphreys will become the major U.S. base in Korea. In terms of North Korean threats, the camp is roughly 100 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone. Some North Korean ballistic missiles could cause damage at Camp Humphreys if it's targeted.
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Al Qaida
commentary
Will Al Qaeda Make a Comeback?
Seth G. Jones
Aug 7, 2017
Foreign Affairs
Al Qaeda's revival will likely hinge on its ability to take advantage of opportunities such as the withdrawal of counterterrorism forces from key battlefields, more revolt in the Middle East, U.S. or European policies that feed the perception of Muslim oppression, or the rise of a charismatic jihadist leader.
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Missile Defense
commentary
Why THAAD Is Needed in Korea
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Aug 7, 2017
The Korea Times
As the threat from North Korea has been developing over the last 30 years, the U.S. has responsibly deployed missile defenses in Korea to protect its forces and South Koreans. Today, North Korea's medium- and intermediate-range missiles require a defense able to handle higher missile re-entry speeds like the THAAD system.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
In Its Relations with Russia, Can the U.S. Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time?
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Aug 6, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
A U.S. policy of unremitting hostility toward Russia won't command domestic support or secure European backing. Neither will a policy of comprehensive collaboration. Washington needs to confront Moscow where necessary and cooperate where possible.
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Is It a Good Idea to Privatize the War in Afghanistan?
S. Rebecca Zimmerman
Aug 4, 2017
Newsweek
The CEO of the Blackwater Corporation has suggested that the U.S. should privatize the war in Afghanistan, and the administration is reportedly giving it some thought. It is important not to dismiss this plan categorically, but to consider it on the merits. Doing so highlights the risks of such a plan.
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United States
blog
RAND's Summer Reading List for Congress
Aug 4, 2017
Hill staffers can make the most of the Congressional recess with this list of must-read research and commentary on the policy issues they will be addressing this fall.
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Global Climate Change
commentary
When It Comes to Climate, Look for Vulnerabilities in Policy, Not Science
Benjamin Lee Preston @bl_preston, Nicholas E. Burger, Marjory S. Blumenthal @MarjorySB, Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Debra Knopman
Aug 4, 2017
The Hill
Federal policymakers have picked up on the concept of red teaming — actively seeking out one's own vulnerabilities. While red teaming may not make sense for climate science, it does offer great benefits when weighing climate policy options.
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Visual Arts
blog
Why the Walls of RAND Are Filled with Contemporary Art
Aug 3, 2017
RAND's art collection is part of a culture that, not dissimilar to the art world, fosters creativity, inquisitiveness, and thinking outside the box.
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