This week, we discuss why now may be the time for a U.N.- or NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Ukraine; the geostrategic consequences of Russia’s war; a new way to address the synthetic opioid crisis; improving long-term outcomes for veterans with traumatic brain injury; how raising the minimum wage affects divorce rates among poor Americans; and the risks of geoengineering.
Photo by Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Time for a Peacekeeping Operation in Northern Ukraine?
Now that the Russian military in Ukraine has retreated to positions in Belarus and Russia—presumably to refit and rearm before moving east—a de facto cease-fire is in place in Kyiv and central Ukraine.
According to RAND's Daniel Gerstein and Douglas Ligor, this could present an opportunity for the U.N. to call for a formal cease-fire in reclaimed territory and recommend that willing states move into northern Ukraine with a peacekeeping force.
There are challenges to taking this course of action, and some may argue that establishing a U.N.- or NATO-led peacekeeping mission would be escalatory. Still, now may be a good time to consider it, Gerstein and Ligor say: “The current situation—growing evidence of war crimes, continued apparent orchestrated attacks and criminality against Ukraine’s population, and the demonstrated violations of the law of armed conflict—does not seem sustainable.”
Ukrainian national flags fly over graves of fallen soldiers at a cemetery in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 24, 2022
Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters
The Geostrategic Consequences of Russia's War
Russia's aggression in Ukraine may prove to be even riskier and costlier than once thought, say RAND's William Courtney and Peter Wilson. They recently broke down some of the long-term geostrategic consequences that are coming into focus. For instance, Russian atrocities appear to have shattered the Kremlin's attempts to sow divisions in the United States and Europe. Further, Ukraine's bravery could hearten proponents of democracy elsewhere and discourage dictators.
David Luckey and Jayme Fuglesten on Capitol Hill
Photo by Grace Evans/RAND Corporation
A New Response to Synthetic Opioids
Around 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021. Nearly two-thirds of those deaths involved synthetic opioids. With guidance from RAND, the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking recently called for a whole-of-nation effort to help address this problem. RAND's David Luckey, a senior international defense researcher, and Jayme Fuglesten, director of Congressional Relations, discuss the commission's recommendations in a new Q&A.
Laboratory scientist Mihai Popescu points out areas of magnetic activity in a brain on a display at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland
Photo by U.S. Army
How to Improve Long-Term Outcomes for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that almost half a million service members sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past two decades. In a new report, RAND researchers examine the profound effect that TBIs have on veterans throughout their lives; consider the unanswered questions about the effectiveness of treatments and interventions; and offer recommendations for improving care and support for veterans and caregivers.
A new UCLA-RAND study is the first to analyze the effects of states' minimum wage increases on the rates of marriage and divorce among low-wage earners
Photo by SabdiZ/Getty Images
Raising the Minimum Wage Lowers the Divorce Rate Among Poor Americans
When states increased their minimum hourly wage by $1, divorce rates among low-income Americans declined by 7 to 15 percent over the next two years. That's according to a new study by researchers at UCLA and RAND. The findings suggest that raising wages may be more effective at helping disadvantaged families than federal programs focused on communication and coping skills. In other words, when the lives of poorer families become easier, it appears that family relationships become easier, too.
RAND artists-in-residence Juan Delcan and Valentina Izaguirre, known as V+J, use live action, animation, and 3D techniques to create unique and entertaining short films.
The Risks of Geoengineering
Geoengineering—the intentional manipulation of the climate—could help curb global warming, but it may also have world-altering consequences. In a new animated video, RAND artists-in-residence Juan Delcan and Valentina Izaguirre take a lighthearted look at this serious issue. The plot: A feverish Earth visits the doctor and learns about a new “treatment,” geoengineering. Of course, there are serious side effects that she must consider.
Listen to the Recap
Get Weekly Updates from RAND
If you enjoyed this weekly recap, consider subscribing to Policy Currents, our newsletter and podcast.
