May 2020

Vaccination
commentary
Vaccination and Coronavirus: Where the Public Good Clashes with Choice and Freedom
Alina I. Palimaru, Marcus Dillistone
May 22, 2020
United Press International
With scientists striving for a viable coronavirus vaccine, and public health officials considering its potential rollout, do calls for freedom of choice and anti-vaccination sentiments, as seen in recent televised protests, represent a worrying omen?
Read More »

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
What Happens When States Reopen, Truth Decay, Telemedicine: RAND Weekly Recap
May 22, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the health and economic consequences of states reopening, the dangers of Truth Decay during the coronavirus crisis, helping refugees, and more.
Read More »
Russia
commentary
Russia's Challenge and Syria's Chance
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh
May 20, 2020
Newsweek
With much of Syria lying in ruins, Russia can back a revived United Nations–led peacemaking process, or see the West rebuff its appeals for large-scale aid. If Russia chooses wisely, the West, wealthy Gulf countries, and China could help. If Moscow procrastinates, the West may withhold assistance and continue cooperation with regional partners.
Read More »
China
commentary
China's Aggression Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Little to Do with COVID-19
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 20, 2020
World Politics Review
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to monopolize the attention of leaders around the world, some international observers of China have concluded that Beijing is attempting to exploit the crisis for geopolitical gain. The reality is that China has been engaging in the same types of pressure tactics for years and will likely continue once the pandemic passes.
Read More »
North Korea
commentary
North Korea Post–Kim Jong Un Reappearance: Expect Business as Usual in the Hermit Kingdom
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
May 19, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong Un's return, while it leaves much to be desired in the way of explanation, should send one message to the international audience: North Korea's fate rests still in the hands of Kim Jong Un. And judging by appearances in recent days, Kim does not appear to intend to change the course of his strategy to reduce tensions with the United States.
Read More »
HIV and AIDS
blog
RAND's Response to a Past Pandemic: HIV/AIDS
May 19, 2020
In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS killed 90 percent of those infected. RAND was at the forefront of the research response, providing key data on costs of care, barriers to access, and the disease's effects on quality of life. RAND continues to pursue ways to ease HIV's impact in the United States and Africa.
Read More »
Decisionmaking
commentary
Relaxing COVID-19 Restrictions Presents Stark Health and Economic Choices
Jeanne S. Ringel @JeanneRingel, Raffaele Vardavas, Aaron Strong
May 18, 2020
The RAND Blog
RAND's new publicly available COVID-19 interventions impact tool uses epidemiological and economic models and continually refreshed data to estimate what could happen as restrictions are eased. Our tool cannot make the choices confronting state leaders less painful, but it can provide clear, evidence-based estimates of the health and economic trade-offs.
Read More »
Refugees
commentary
How to Help Refugees and Host Countries Combat COVID-19
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson, Gary Edson
May 18, 2020
The National Interest
Having escaped conflict and persecution, refugees now risk illness and death from COVID-19. That risk is heightened by a policy regime that focuses largely on refugees in camps, not the almost two-thirds who live in urban areas. But the crisis could provide an opportunity to reform a broken system for the benefit of refugees and host countries alike.
Read More »
Civilian Military Workforce
essay
Civilians Returning from War Zones Need More Support
May 18, 2020
Deployed civilians often work alongside the military in combat zones or other high-stress, high-risk areas. But when they return, their experience is much different. They come home to support that is often incomplete and insufficient, and sometimes entirely nonexistent.
Read More »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Global Challenges to Maintaining a Healthy Workforce During a Pandemic: Views from RAND Experts
May 15, 2020
As nations across the globe remain in lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about the future of employment and workforce productivity emerge. During a recent webinar, RAND experts discussed how to get people back to work and improve productivity post COVID-19.
Read More »
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations
commentary
Public Health Lessons on Intimate Partner Violence Tucked into Tiger King
Sarah MacCarthy
May 15, 2020
Ms. Magazine
Substantial work has been done to figure out how best to address intimate partner violence, but with limited attention regarding how best to meet the unique needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual victims. The popularity of Netflix's Tiger King, and its depiction of intimate partner violence between Joe Exotic and his two husbands, could help to focus attention on a very real, and often hidden, problem.
Read More »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Preparing for a Post-Vaccine World, Domestic Abuse, the Future of War: RAND Weekly Recap
May 15, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on why we need a blueprint for a post-vaccine world, helping domestic abuse victims during COVID-19, the pandemic's historic economic effects, and more.
Read More »
Critical Infrastructure Protection
commentary
COVID-19 Highlights the Shortcomings of America's Digital Infrastructure
James Ryseff
May 14, 2020
Inside Sources
Much like America's aging physical infrastructure, America's digital infrastructure needs updating. To fix these urgent problems, local, state, and federal governments could turn to best practices used in the private sector to develop more reliable software.
Read More »
Health Information Privacy
commentary
Should Communities Be Concerned About Digital Technologies to Fight COVID-19?
Abbie Tingstad, Shira H. Fischer @ShiraFischer, Erika L. Bloom @ErikaLBloom, Mary Lee
May 13, 2020
Inside Sources
Personal, internet-connected electronic devices, such as smartphones and activity trackers, offer an unprecedented opportunity to identify, track, map, and communicate about COVID-19. But apps could pose privacy and security concerns.
Read More »
Global Climate Change
essay
Civilians and Military Collaborate to Address Climate Change
May 13, 2020
The Hampton Roads area in Virginia is home to more than 1.7 million people, a major port, and more military installations than anywhere else in the United States. Its rising sea levels and floods brought together civilian and military officials on a project to mitigate damage and foster resiliency.
Read More »
Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Equal Pay for Equal Work: How Binding Pay Transparency Measures May Help
Michaela Bruckmayer
May 12, 2020
Encompass
More than 60 years ago, the EU introduced the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women. But a gender pay gap persists in most countries. In 2014, a European Commission Recommendation encouraged measures to aid pay transparency, but implementation has been limited.
Read More »
Science of Science
commentary
The Future of Research Outputs
Susan Guthrie, Maja Maricevic, Catriona Manville @CMManville
May 12, 2020
British Library
The changing nature of research outputs has the potential to affect a wide range of organizations and people. A proactive stance could help drive research towards better practices in information storage, sharing and communication, but requires early action and shared goals at a sector level.
Read More »
Mental Health and Illness
commentary
Want to Stem the Rising Mental Health Crisis? Look Beyond the Usual Suspects for Help
Lynsay Ayer, Clare Stevens
May 12, 2020
Psych Central
As the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects spread, concerns about mental health impacts continue to grow. Many communities and policymakers are desperate to stem the tide of unaddressed mental health needs, and with the right investments in training, task-shifting models have enormous potential to bolster available, accessible mental health services.
Read More »
Domestic Violence
commentary
Measures to Help Domestic Abuse Victims During COVID-19 Are Welcome but Not Enough
Madeline Nightingale, Joanna Hofman @JoannaBHofman, Sarah Grand-Clement
May 12, 2020
EU Observer
One of the most worrying and consistent trends during the COVID-19 lockdown is an increase in domestic violence. Governments are taking different approaches in how they act to stop the violence and help victims to be heard during the lockdown. Securing adequate resources for support services is vital.
Read More »
Biomedical Research
commentary
Biosecurity Is the Lesson We Need to Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein, James Giordano
May 11, 2020
The National Interest
Biological outbreaks have been a fear among experts for decades and human activities present windows of vulnerability. To address this, America needs to have a new approach to biosafety and biosecurity that addresses the full range of biological threats that humankind and the global environment will face in the future.
Read More »
Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Economic Recovery in Egypt Should Include Women
Louay Constant
May 11, 2020
United Press International
Despite tremendous strides in educational attainment, women's engagement in the labor force in Egypt remains limited. Will Egypt's post-pandemic recovery further exacerbate structural barriers and inequities? Or could the current economic crisis be an opportunity to develop new opportunities to employ women and foster conditions for a more inclusive and diversified labor force?
Read More »
Information Operations
commentary
Exposing Russian Information Operations Does Not Violate the First Amendment
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
May 11, 2020
The Hill
Russia's hostile information operations are continuous and extend to a broad range of domestic issues. First Amendment concerns are important, but they do not protect hostile information campaigns by foreign actors, nor are they a legal excuse for inaction by the United States.
Read More »
Vaccination
commentary
Needed: A Blueprint for a Post-Vaccine World
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Mahshid Abir, Christopher Nelson
May 11, 2020
The Hill
When a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, many in rich countries may be able to afford it while the poor and uninsured may not. In poor countries, most people won't be able to pay. The time to plan for equitable access, financing, intellectual property rights, and global production is now.
Read More »
Russia
commentary
Why Russia Struggles to Feed Its Great-Power Addiction
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
May 11, 2020
The National Interest
Russia has become less cooperative and pursued more autarky in recent years. If Moscow continues this path of resisting globalization, it could be left behind.
Read More »
North Korea
commentary
North Korean Provocations, Not Denuclearization
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
May 8, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong-un's reappearance raises questions about the course of U.S.–North Korea relationships in the coming year. What should we expect? What can we learn from the past?
Read More »
Political Reform Movements
commentary
COVID-19 Crisis Could Spur Post-Soviet Fixes
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
May 8, 2020
The Moscow Times
Much of the post-Soviet space remains afflicted with authoritarian rule, inefficient economies, corruption, and regional tensions. The COVID-19 crisis could prod countries to address key issues, but they will need help. Targeted Western aid could help willing countries make progress.
Read More »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Reopening America, China's 'Mask Diplomacy,' State Police Powers: RAND Weekly Recap
May 8, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on a RAND tool that estimates the public health and economic effects of reopening America, China's “mask diplomacy,” using police powers for pandemic response, and more.
Read More »
Wargaming
q&a
The Serious Side of Gaming: Q&A with Yuna Wong
May 8, 2020
Yuna Wong, codirector of RAND's Center for Gaming, didn't expect to make gaming a focus of her career. In this interview, she discusses what drew her to the field, what makes a good wargame, and her latest research on the dangers of putting too much trust in artificial intelligence.
Read More »
Philippines
commentary
Are Military Purchases in SE Asia for Political Balancing a Good Use of National Defense Resources?
Chandler Sachs, John V. Parachini
May 7, 2020
Asian Military Review
The Philippines has embarked upon a multi-phase, multi-year modernization of its armed forces, but some of the acquisition decisions appear to be driven by political symbolism rather than responsible military decisions. Using military procurement for political symbolism and paying a high price for it takes resources away from other pressing national security and domestic needs.
Read More »
Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Is the Unemployment Rate Now Higher Than It Was in the Great Depression?
Jeffrey B. Wenger, Kathryn A. Edwards
May 7, 2020
The RAND Blog
The extent of COVID-19's effect on the labor market will be catastrophic for many workers and businesses. Matching the unemployment rate peak set by the Great Depression is not even necessary to establish the historic nature of the downturn that we're living through.
Read More »
Statistical Analysis Methodology
commentary
Don't Make the Pandemic Worse with Poor Data Analysis
Matthew D. Baird, David G. Groves, Osonde A. Osoba @OsondeOsoba, Andrew M. Parker, Ricardo Sanchez, Claude Messan Setodji
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
The need for immediate answers in the face of severe public health and economic distress may create a temptation to relax statistical standards. But urgency should not preclude expert analysis and honest assessments of uncertainty. Mistaken assumptions could lead to counterproductive actions.
Read More »
Capacity Building
commentary
Protecting the U.S. Supply on Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles
Bonnie L. Triezenberg
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
Our recent RAND report on the global heavy lift launch market highlights the potential for a near term shortage of launch vehicles needed to lift U.S. defense and intelligence satellites to orbit. These satellites are the eyes, ears, networks and timekeepers of U.S. armed services, and an inability to launch them in times of need could compromise national security.
Read More »
Missile Defense
commentary
Russian S-400 Surface to Air Missile System: Is It Worth the Sticker Price?
Peter A. Wilson, John V. Parachini
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
Many countries do not fully appreciate that effective air defense requires a networked system and not just one missile system component. Gettting the true defensive value out of the S-400 surface to air system requires additional components that add costs and complexities.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
Jumpstarting the U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Amid COVID-19
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
May 6, 2020
The Diplomat
Since roughly 2012, South Korea–Japan ties have frayed over tensions between the two countries. Could the United States use its relationships with Japan and South Korea to encourage trilateral medical cooperation during the pandemic, ensure that the Tokyo Games are held, and in so doing help support healing in the relationship between Seoul and Tokyo?
Read More »
Science of Science
commentary
Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It
Tom Ling
May 5, 2020
The RAND Blog
Evidence only has scientific meaning when it is part of a body of disciplinary knowledge produced by a community of scientists. Leading with scientific evidence, coupled with a wider values framework, may result in better outcomes for all.
Read More »
Health Care Access
commentary
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in the Time of COVID-19
Laura Fraade-Blanar, Christopher Whaley @cm_whaley
May 5, 2020
The RAND Blog
More widespread availability of rideshare for non-emergency medical transport may save lives, reserve emergency resources for those who need them, and provide safe pathways to primary care for the chronically ill. It could also save livelihoods, providing employment in a time of economic hardship.
Read More »
China
commentary
Don't Be Fooled by China's Mask Diplomacy
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 5, 2020
Los Angeles Times
China has provided coronavirus-related aid to hundreds of countries. This appears to be an effort to make the world forget its role in the COVID-19 crisis, and to take advantage of its neighbors' current distraction.
Read More »
International Diplomacy
commentary
Reviewing Vietnam's 'Struggle' Options in the South China Sea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
The Diplomat
Once again, Chinese assertiveness against Vietnam in the South China Sea is on the rise. Vietnam has publicly protested each Chinese move, but these statements have yet to alter Beijing's bad behavior. Among its many options, Hanoi could look to Washington for further assistance.
Read More »
Security Cooperation
commentary
There's Still Life in the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
Foreign Policy
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would terminate the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Washington and Manila have until August 9 to save it or negotiate a new VFA to avert any further alliance crisis.
Read More »
Health Care Services Capacity
commentary
Don't Waste This Crisis: How America Can Begin Building a System of Health
Tim McDonald, Christopher Nelson, Laurie T. Martin, Anita Chandra
May 4, 2020
The RAND Blog
COVID-19 is shining a harsh spotlight on long-recognized but under-addressed gaps in the U.S. health system. There may never have been a more pressing time to think differently, broadening from health care services to a health-producing System of Health.
Read More »
Education Curriculum
commentary
New Teacher Survey Shows That Digital Materials Were Not Optimal Before the Pandemic. Now That They Are Front and Center, How Should They Be Used?
Katie Tosh, Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman
May 4, 2020
The RAND Blog
Schools and teachers can support student learning during the COVID-19 crisis by considering how to keep curricula front and center alongside a set of targeted digital materials that connect with curricula and can keep students learning, engaged, and connected to their school support systems.
Read More »
Educational Equity
commentary
Digital Learning Needs to Benefit All Children When Schools Close
Axelle Devaux @AxelleDevaux
May 4, 2020
EU Reporter
Three factors are essential for any digital learning method. First, it must be inclusive. Second, it should support the learning experience, not replace it. And third, evidence of what works should inform digital learning interventions.
Read More »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Planning for the Upcoming Hurricane Season in Light of COVID-19
Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, Gary Cecchine @GaryCecchine, Craig Fugate, Craig A. Bond
May 4, 2020
Vox
What if Hurricane Katrina had hit during a pandemic? Emergency planners can prepare for this scenario by evaluating current response system capacity, evacuation and sheltering procedures, food and supply issues, and more.
Read More »
Community Health and Well-Being
q&a
Reopening America—The Health and Economic Trade-Offs: Q&A with RAND Experts
May 4, 2020
Local and state officials are thinking through whether, when, and how to lift social-distancing restrictions. We asked three RAND researchers about the complex problem of reopening.
Read More »
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
A Proposed COVID-19 Cure, Economic Decline, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
May 1, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the unintended consequences of a proposed COVID-19 treatment, another wave of economic destruction, North Korea after Kim Jong Un, and more.
Read More »
Law Enforcement
commentary
State Police Powers: A Less Than Optimal Remedy for the COVID-19 Disease
Douglas C. Ligor @DougLigor
May 1, 2020
United Press International
How can the United States face what may be a growing threat of pandemics without having to exercise powers so extraordinary that they not only restrict fundamental rights and liberties, but also damage or jeopardize the economic livelihood of so many?
Read More »