2019

Fighter Aircraft
commentary
B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Is Handy, but It May Not Be the Perfect Fit
Carl Rhodes @CarlRhodes
Dec 2, 2019
The Australian
Some in the Australian defence community have called for significant changes to the Australian Defence Force structure in response to changing global strategic conditions. Before Australia considers any new long-range strike capabilities, an analysis of alternatives that examines both cost and capability is essential.
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Hong Kong
commentary
U.S. Policy Options for Hong Kong
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Dec 2, 2019
Council on Foreign Relations
After months of escalating police violence and protester resistance, matters in Hong Kong have come to a head. What steps could the United States consider to reduce the prospect of a resurgence in violence?
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Artificial Intelligence
blog
Artificial Intelligence Bias, Russia, Fentanyl: RAND Weekly Recap
Nov 29, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on bias in algorithms, Russia's limits in the Middle East, understanding the fentanyl crisis, and more.
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Hong Kong
commentary
Hong Kong's Historic Election Probably Won't Reverse Current Trends
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Nov 27, 2019
The Hill
Whatever fate awaits Hong Kong, recent trends leave little reason for optimism. It is becoming an increasingly violent and polarized place that might prompt Chinese military action, and the crisis has opened a new wound in U.S.–China relations. The best hope is that the recent election reminds all sides why Hong Kong is worth saving.
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Children
commentary
Celebrating Children's Rights Is Important, but More Progress Is Needed
Eleftheria Iakovidou, Barbara Janta
Nov 25, 2019
Encompass
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which set a legal framework and put children's rights firmly on the international policy agenda, was adopted 30 years ago. While there are a number of initiatives in place, more work could be done to maximize children's involvement in policy and decisionmaking on issues that affect their lives.
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Mali
commentary
Mali Violence Shows Limits of Intervention
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Nov 22, 2019
RealClearDefense
Each year brings more violence to Mali and its neighbors. Mali and Burkina Faso are rapidly destabilizing; the situation in Niger is less dire, but that is hardly a commendation. Why is the violence in Mali getting worse given the significant efforts by the international community to stem it?
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International Diplomacy
commentary
City Diplomacy Has Been on the Rise. Policies Are Finally Catching Up
Sohaela Amiri, Rafiq Dossani
Nov 22, 2019
United Press International
Cities are not signing international treaties, nor do they have embassies around the world. But they can engage in all kinds of negotiations, reach agreements, and influence world politics. The State Department could tap into this power to enhance U.S. diplomacy, global image, and influence.
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Medicare
blog
Medicare, Climate Change, 'Superbugs': RAND Weekly Recap
Nov 22, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on opening Medicare to Americans at age 50, how to assess climate change plans, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, and more.
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Political Reform Movements
commentary
The Arab Spring in the Upside-Down
Jordan R. Reimer @Jordan_R_Reimer
Nov 21, 2019
The World Post
Where the original Arab Spring protests removed authoritarian leaders, the current demonstrators in Iraq and Lebanon are trying to topple popularly elected governments. This could have dramatic implications for the future of representative democracy in the Middle East.
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Discriminatory Practices
commentary
Did No One Audit the Apple Card Algorithm?
Osonde A. Osoba @OsondeOsoba
Nov 21, 2019
The RAND Blog
Complex, opaque technologies like artificial intelligence provide significant benefits to society. But those benefits don't eliminate the need for accountability and transparency.
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Drug Markets and Supply
commentary
What Will the Opioid Crisis Look Like in Five Years?
Jirka Taylor, Peter Reuter
Nov 18, 2019
Concord Monitor in New Hampshire
Evidence suggests that once a synthetic opioid like fentanyl becomes dominant in a drug market, it stays that way. With that in mind, the United States should prepare for these drugs as a lasting phenomenon.
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Caregivers
commentary
Recognizing Family Caregivers as Part of the Health Care Team
Esther M. Friedman, Patricia K. Tong
Nov 18, 2019
The RAND Blog
Recent shifts in health care practices have left family caregivers increasingly responsible for medical tasks. Given family caregivers' central role in medical care, there are efforts underway to improve family caregiver integration into the health care team, but there are barriers to effective integration and engagement.
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Vietnam
commentary
Vietnam Needs to 'Struggle' More in the South China Sea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Nov 15, 2019
The Diplomat
With the standoff between China and Vietnam at the disputed Vanguard Bank ended, it makes sense to take stock of how Hanoi's security strategy fared in countering Chinese coercion. It may be time for Vietnam to consider a careful recalibration to allow for more “struggle” and less “cooperation.”
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The Internet
blog
Disinformation, Drug Policy, Artificial Intelligence: RAND Weekly Recap
Nov 15, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on tools to fight disinformation online, the negative consequences of punishing pregnant women for drug use, how to ensure public trust in artificial intelligence, and more
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Nuclear Sciences
announcement
RAND Is Accepting Applications for Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowships
Nov 15, 2019
RAND is accepting applications for up to three Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows. The application deadline is January 21, 2020. The program was created to stimulate the development of the next generation of thought leaders on nuclear security.
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