2018

commentary

Why We Should Measure the Economic Impact of Terrorism in the Middle East

Though physical impacts of terrorism in the Middle East should be the main focus of counterterrorism efforts, financial impacts should not be ignored. Officials could help mitigate devastating economic effects by identifying and protecting essential regional revenue streams like tourism and oil.

Antonia Ward

commentary

How AVs Could Provide Independence for Older Drivers

Giving up driving has been linked to depression and isolation in older adults, as well as early entry into nursing home facilities. Autonomous vehicles could help improve the well-being of older adults by allowing them to maintain independence while still giving up their car keys.

Laura Fraade-Blanar

commentary

The Implications of U.S.-China Trade Tensions for Japan

Washington and Beijing seem prepared to begin decoupling from one another economically, which puts Tokyo in a difficult position. Japan may have to devise new strategies not only for sustaining its growth, but also for insulating itself from the impact of deteriorating relations between the United States and China.

Ali Wyne

commentary

Can U.S. Pressure Lead to a New Iran Nuclear Deal?

It could be a mistake for the United States to assume that more pressure will bring Iran closer to ending or reducing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. When it comes to measures aimed at Iran's nuclear program, more pressure could worsen nuclear risks and further drive a wedge between the United States and its European allies.

Ariane M. Tabatabai, Eric Brewer

commentary

Ammonia – Why the Big Stink?

Ammonia pollution harms human health and reduces the richness and diversity of the environment. As new policy frameworks are implemented in the UK, there is an opportunity to support farmers to make the changes necessary to reduce ammonia pollution.

Sarah Giles, Hadeel Tabaqchali, et al.

commentary

Louisiana's Education System Is Evolving: Here's What Parents Need to Know

Louisiana has taken big steps to improve its education policies and the education of the state's children, from birth to grade 12. Parents can help their children benefit from the reforms by being informed about the changes and knowing how to take advantage of new resources.

Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman, Jill S. Cannon, et al.

commentary

Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties

The appearance of military cooperation between China and Russia masks deep strategic distrust and suspicion. But despite these real limitations, strong incentives and a lack of alternatives provide a sturdy foundation for a continued strategic partnership going forward.

Timothy R. Heath

commentary

Reforming Security Assistance: Why the State Department Can't Lead from Behind

The reforms in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act are driving the Department of Defense to improve security cooperation planning. Similar reforms for the State Department could help leaders there more effectively communicate the value of security assistance and maintain their traditional leadership role.

Michael J. McNerney, Jennifer D. P. Moroney @jdpmoroney

blog

The RAND Tablet: iPad Predecessor

In the 1960s RAND developed a 10-inch-square tablet. Users could draw shapes and text on it with a stylus, which a handwriting recognition program smoothed out and rendered on a monitor. The RAND Tablet paved the way for PalmPilots, Tablet PCs, and iPads.

commentary

Taking Stock of a Shifting World Order

The postwar order seems poised to continue eroding, without a clear alternative in the offing. It has often taken cataclysmic events to inaugurate new eras of geopolitical order, but one hopes that the postwar order will instead be reinvigorated through farsighted statecraft.

Ali Wyne

essay

Appalachia Partnership Helps Both Workers and Employers in a Changing Market

An innovative program in Appalachia is realigning the skills of the workforce with the needs of employers, getting people back on the job and providing a 21st-century model of workforce development.

commentary

Personalized Hospital Ratings: Transparency for the Internet Age

Each annual release of hospital ratings captivates journalists, hospital leaders, and health care consumers in the United States. These ratings aggregate many measures into a single score for each hospital. But why should the opinions of report creators hold sway, if the intent is to inform patient choice? Why not ask patients instead?

Juliet Rumball-Smith, Jill Gurvey, et al.

commentary

A Better Way to Think About Scooters

Unleashed in Santa Monica, California, last September, Bird and its competitors are now in 30 American cities and counting. Cities are responding to the scooter takeover with new regulations and increased law enforcement. But if officials rely only on 20th-century tools to integrate these 21st-century scooters into their cities, they will miss a big opportunity.

Robert J. Lempert @RobertLempert, Tim McDonald, et al.

commentary

McCain's Heroism

John McCain's heroism will forever punctuate America's memory of the Vietnam War, reminding us both of the horrors of war and the human potential to transcend them. His heroism also stands out because of how it empowered him as a congressman and senator to do things others could not.

Phillip Carter

essay

Social and Emotional Learning Prepares Students for Life

The goal of social and emotional learning is to give students the skills they need to work in teams, communicate their ideas, and manage their emotions. Research can help educators determine which programs work and which ones qualify for federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act.