2017

Obesity

commentary
What the World Can Learn from Chile's Obesity-Control Strategies
Nearly 30 years into the ongoing global epidemic of obesity and chronic diseases, Chile has taken the lead in identifying and implementing obesity-control strategies that could prove to be the beginning of the end of the epidemic. The country's success on this front can serve as a lesson plan other countries could follow.
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Dec 30, 2017
Deborah A. Cohen

International Diplomacy

commentary
What to Make of Trump's Decision on Jerusalem
While the Israeli-Palestinian issue is not a high priority in the Arab world today with all the other turmoil engulfing the region, not even the Trump administration's closest allies support the president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And it risks inflaming regional tension and increasing anti-American sentiment.
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Dec 28, 2017
Dalia Dassa Kaye
International Diplomacy

commentary
America's New Security Strategy Reflects the Intensifying Strategic Competition with China
The United States unveiled its National Security Strategy last week, describing China as a revisionist power that actively competes against the United States and its allies and partners. China had strong words of its own in response. Both will need to navigate the relationship in a way that supports stability and prosperity for both countries.
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Dec 27, 2017
Timothy R. Heath
Data Privacy

commentary
A Smart Toy Could Have Personal Details for Life, Not Just for Christmas
Parents shouldn't avoid buying smart toys during the holidays, particularly if these devices top children's Christmas lists. But parents should definitely be wary of the security and privacy risks that smart toys can pose.
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Dec 21, 2017
Erik Silfversten
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

commentary
Russia Trapped in Syria
Russia alone can neither guarantee the future security of Syria nor mobilize the resources to enable it to recover and rebuild. Only by linking arms with the international community to edge out Iran, forge broader-based governance and spur economic growth can Russia hope to achieve lasting success in Syria.
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Dec 20, 2017
Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Decisionmaking

commentary
The American Intellectual Property
In a continued search for competitive advantage, the United States may be asking the wrong question. Perhaps the question should be, how to most effectively cultivate what is inherent in Americans.
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Dec 19, 2017
Timothy Marler
Global Climate Change

commentary
Moving Countries, Seeking Refuge from Climate Change
By the middle of this century, experts estimate that climate change is likely to displace between 150 and 300 million people. It is daunting to envision such large flows of people, but that is why the global community should start doing so now.
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Dec 19, 2017
Gulrez Shah Azhar
Emergency Services and Response

blog
RAND Researchers Visit Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
A small team of RAND researchers went to Puerto Rico two weeks after the island was struck by Hurricane Maria. They are compiling their observations into a series of studies for the Army, with recommendations to smooth its response to future disasters.
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Dec 19, 2017
Terrorism Threat Assessment

commentary
Navigating the Latest Terrorism Trend
Terrorists are increasingly using vehicles as attack weapons, killing more than 150 people in the last 18 months. If this trend continues, the urban landscape will change as bollards, barricades and barriers, chicanes and checkpoints surround and subdivide public spaces. But do they make us safer?
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Dec 19, 2017
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Civil-Military Relations

commentary
Minding the Gap: The Military, Politics, and American Democracy
The gap between Americans' confidence in the military versus its civilian counterparts has widened over the last several decades. This has led former military officers to play an increasingly prominent role in politics and changed the civil-military balance in potentially unhealthy ways.
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Dec 18, 2017
Raphael S. Cohen
commentary
Economic Instability Endangers Democracy
The Western political community is retreating from its own institutions. The problem stems from the fact that the health of democracies is crucially dependent on their economic growth rate.
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Dec 16, 2017
Jordan Willcox
Information Operations

commentary
Invisible Doomsday Machines: The Challenge of Clandestine Capabilities and Deterrence
As the United States increasingly contemplates acquiring clandestine capabilities for deterrence and warfighting, it should consider rethinking its approach to managing these programs. A unified management approach would go a great distance toward meeting the challenges of these capabilities.
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Dec 15, 2017
Brendan Rittenhouse Green, Austin Long
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

commentary
ISIS Could Rise Again
ISIS has a tried-and-true playbook for bringing itself back from near death. Just a few years ago, it managed to resurrect itself after apparent defeat. And the history of that resurrection should serve as a warning of what may be coming now.
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Dec 15, 2017
Benjamin Bahney, Patrick B. Johnston
Wages and Compensation

q&a
Justice for Florida Farmworkers: Q&A with Susan Marquis
In her new book, Susan Marquis takes readers inside the fight in Florida tomato fields. She traces the history and victories of a grassroots group of farmworkers and community leaders who wrested better wages and working conditions from major tomato growers and their corporate buyers.
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Dec 15, 2017
Social and Emotional Learning

commentary
Building Support for Social and Emotional Learning: Having an Evidence Base Is Critical
Students need more than proficiency in reading or math. Perseverance, active listening, empathy and good decision-making help kids succeed both academically and in life. Schools need access to high-quality social and emotional learning assessment measures to ensure programs will improve student learning and their futures.
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Dec 14, 2017
Sean Grant, Laura S. Hamilton
Integrated Care

commentary
Collaboration Is the Best Strategy to Combat Population Health Concerns
The greatest opportunities to improve health happen pretty much everywhere but the doctor's office. Collaborative programming that merges strategies from housing, education, or labor could make a big difference.
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Dec 14, 2017
Vivian L. Towe