2021

Military Strategy
commentary
The U.S. Doesn't Need More Nuclear Weapons to Counter China's New Missile Silos
Edward Geist @sovietologist
Oct 18, 2021
The Washington Post
There's little reason for the United States to worry much about whatever the Chinese military is building in hundreds of new missile silos in China. America and its allies have ways to counter any threats these silo fields pose.
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International Diplomacy
blog
China and Russia, Wages and Insurance, Refugees and Technology : RAND Weekly Recap
Oct 15, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on China-Russia ties, considerations when raising the minimum wage, how refugees use digital devices, and more.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea's 'Business as Usual' Missile Provocations
Soo Kim @mllesookim
Oct 14, 2021
Korea On Point
North Korea has revved up its cycle of missile provocations, its go-to method of securing leverage against the United States and South Korea in the on-again off-again nuclear negotiations. How will the United States and South Korea choose to respond?
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Crime and Violence Prevention
commentary
Protecting the Elderly from Financial Exploitation
Katherine Grace Carman @KGCarman, Sierra Smucker
Oct 14, 2021
The RAND Blog
Older adults are more vulnerable to scams than others and there are no good ways of protecting them. Policy solutions that provide protection against financial fraud could help older adults to live more financially stable lives.
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United States Army
blog
Gen. Charles Flynn Says Army Has Crucial Role in the Pacific Theater
Oct 13, 2021
What is the U.S. Army's role in an oceanic theater that spans half the globe, where China increasingly asserts itself for strategic advantage? Gen. Charles A. Flynn, head of the U.S. Army Pacific, discussed this and other topics related to the Army's role in the Pacific theater at a recent event at RAND.
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Wages and Compensation
commentary
Is the Fight for $15 Going to Cost Low-Wage Workers Their Health Insurance?
Michael Dworsky, Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner, Jeffrey B. Wenger
Oct 11, 2021
Newsweek
Minimum wage increases can lead to reductions in employer-sponsored health insurance for some workers and their dependents. If policymakers want to raise the minimum wage, they should look beyond standard labor market outcomes and take into account other potential effects.
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Education Administration
blog
Four-Day School Weeks, Domestic Terrorism, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
Oct 8, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on the trade-offs of a four-day school week, how to counter domestic violent extremism, racial disparities in who is convicted of more-serious speeding charges, and more.
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Domestic Terrorism
commentary
Countering Domestic Terrorism May Require Rethinking U.S. Intelligence Strategy
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Oct 5, 2021
The Hill
The United States is deeply divided, its political system polarized. Getting counterterrorism wrong could make the situation worse. The challenge is to isolate and contain violent extremists without turning them into political martyrs or half the country into enemies of the state.
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Military Personnel
commentary
Institutions May Be Key to Countering Extremism in the Military
Marek N. Posard @mnposard
Oct 4, 2021
The RAND Blog
Extremism is a symptom of broader social and political headwinds within civilian society. By using existing support programs, military leaders may be able to effectively confront these headwinds early and channel them in productive ways that ultimately preserve the effectiveness and readiness of the U.S. military.
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Military Strategy
commentary
The Big Unanswered Question of the Afghanistan War
Raphael S. Cohen
Oct 4, 2021
Lawfare
The United States' war in Afghanistan may be over, but the debate over the legacy of America's longest war has just begun. The U.S. defeat raises many questions. For the future of American defense strategy, one big question perhaps stands out above all: Does the United States still have the grit necessary to fight and win long wars?
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Immigrants and Emigrants
blog
Supporting Undocumented and Asylum-Seeking Children, L.A. Housing, Veterans: RAND Weekly Recap
Oct 1, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on educating and supporting undocumented and asylum-seeking children in U.S. schools, what drives America's adversaries to use military forces, and measuring the compounding effects of racism.
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Middle East
blog
Panel Discusses Biden Strategy of Diplomacy as Tool of First Resort in the Middle East
Oct 1, 2021
A distinguished panel of Middle East and national security experts expressed concerns about potential side effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on U.S. Middle East policy and encouraged the Biden administration to proactively engage allies in the future.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
As U.S. Shifts Arctic Strategy to Counter Russia, Allies Offer Valuable Info
Fabian Villalobos @doktor_wolfhaus
Sep 24, 2021
United Press International
U.S. strategy is shifting toward a renewed focus on the Arctic region, reflecting increasing Russian military activity there. U.S. forces could benefit from the knowledge and capabilities of partners and allies with extensive Arctic experience.
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Residential Housing
commentary
Renters' Last Chance for Pandemic Aid Before Evictions Resume
George Zuo
Sep 24, 2021
Los Angeles Times
The pandemic has battered Los Angeles renters, and a new wave of pain is coming with the moratorium on evictions ending September 30. But this housing crisis doesn't have to turn into a new homelessness crisis. Californians with incomes below 80 percent of their area's median are eligible to receive funds from the COVID-19 Rent Relief program.
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Media Literacy
blog
China-Pakistan Partnership, Media Literacy, Incarcerated Parents: RAND Weekly Recap
Sep 24, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on the China-Pakistan partnership in light of the Taliban's rise to power, media literacy education, parenting from prison, and more.
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Military Health and Health Care
commentary
Supporting the Mental Health Needs of National Guard and Reserve Members
Justin Hummer, Kimberly A. Hepner @KimberlyHepner
Sep 22, 2021
RealClearDefense
Over one million U.S. military service members are members of the National Guard or reserves. These troops are being tested like never before, but they do not receive the same physical and mental health care coverage provided to their active-duty counterparts. It may be time to explore policy solutions to ensure that these service members have access to high-quality mental health care.
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