Congressional Newsletter

National Security

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Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition

There are worrying indications that geopolitical factors may be driving countries, including Russia and Iran, to more frequent use of proxy warfare, and China might return to such forms of competition under certain circumstances. In this summary report, the authors synthesize the findings and recommendations from two companion reports on intrastate proxy wars.

The prospect of the increasing use of proxy warfare has several implications for U.S. defense policy. Violent nonstate actors supported by states tend to be much more lethal than those without state support. These enhanced capabilities appear to make them much more threatening to U.S. allies and partners, potentially forcing the United States to intervene on their behalf to protect them.
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National Security Research Division

China's president Xi Jinping boards the aircraft carrier Shandong in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, December 17, 2019, photo by Li Gang/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

Li Gang/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

Gaining Victory in Systems Warfare: China’s Perspective on the U.S.-China Military Balance

Mark Cozad et al.

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Hseyin/Adobe Stock

Supply Chain Interdependence and Geopolitical Vulnerability: The Case of Taiwan and High-End Semiconductors

Bradley Martin et al.

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Naeblys/Adobe Stock

Neurodiversity and National Security: How to Tackle National Security Challenges with a Wider Range of Cognitive Talents

Cortney Weinbaum et al.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd L), Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (L), and Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov (2nd R) watch the Zapad-2017 war games held by Russian and Belarussian servicemen, in the Leningrad region, Russia, September 18, 2017, photo by Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters

Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters

The Russian General Staff: Understanding the Military’s Decisionmaking Role in a “Besieged Fortress”

Alexis A. Blanc et al.

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Blue Planet Studio/Adobe Stock

Russia’s Asymmetric Response to 21st Century Strategic Competition: Robotization of the Armed Forces

Krystyna Marcinek et al.

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Opportunities and Risks of 5G Military Use in Europe

Mary Lee et al.

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U.S. Army

Reforming Military Health Care Costs: Issues for Future Research

Patricia K. Tong et al.

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nullplus/iStock

Interventions for People Who Have Attempted Suicide and Their Family Members: A Systematic Review

Kristie L. Gore et al.

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Maj. Laura Johnson, a mental health flight commander, speaks to an Airman in her office on June 10, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, photo by Heather Heiney/U.S. Air Force

Heather Heiney/U.S. Air Force

Behavioral Health Care Delivery Following the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Utilization, Telehealth, and Quality of Care for Service Members with PTSD, Depression, or Substance Use Disorder

Kimberly A. Hepner et al.

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Ali Hashisho/Alamy Stock Photo

In the Wreckage of ISIS: An Examination of Challenges Confronting Detained and Displaced Populations in Northeastern Syria

Karen M. Sudkamp et al.

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Gorodenkoff/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Strengthening the Defense Innovation Ecosystem

Brodi Kotila et al.

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Project Air Force

Michael Peterson/U.S. Air Force

Understanding, Managing, and Reporting U.S. Space Force Readiness

Brian Dolan et al.

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Beau Wade/U.S. Air Force

Unraveling Entanglement: Policy Implications of Using Non-Dedicated Systems for Nuclear Command and Control

Don Snyder et al.

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Airman 1st Class Jacob B. Wrightsman/U.S. Air Force

Emerging Options for Field-Grade Officer Promotions in the U.S. Air Force

Albert A. Robbert et al.

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Symone Chur Martin walks between pallets on a C-5M

Karla Parra/U.S. Air Force

Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of the Air Force: Qualitative Review of Programs, Practices, and Partnerships

Maria C. Lytell et al.

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itchaznong/Adobe Stock

Data-Enabled Approaches for Enhancing the Air Force Transformational Capability Pipeline

Matthew Walsh et al.

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Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/U.S. Air Force

Organizing and Training Airfield Operations Capabilities for Emerging Expeditionary Operations: Potential Courses of Action

John A. Ausink et al.

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Shelton Keel/U.S. Air Force

Assessment of Joint All Domain Command and Control Requirements and the Use of Live, Virtual, and Constructive Capabilities for Training

Timothy Marler et al.

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Army Research Division

Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs/U.S. Army

The Impact of Army JROTC Participation on School and Career Outcomes

Melanie A. Zaber et al.

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Soldier and financial symbols, graphic by GettyImages/CatLane and Fanatic Studio

CatLane and Fanatic Studio/Getty Images

Optimizing Portfolio-Level Modernization Investment: An Overview of the Aim Point Investment Model (APIM)

Katharina Ley Best et al.

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RAND Congressional Resources Staff

Jayme Fuglesten
Director, Office of Congressional Relations

Kurt Card
National Security Legislative Analyst

Nathaniel Lutovsky
Legislative Analyst

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