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Short-form content, including multimedia and infographics, summarizes important findings and recommendations.

Reports

Mental Health Treatment

U.S. Religious Congregations Offer Mental Health Support

Sep 21, 2017

Wong, et al.

Nearly a quarter of congregations in the United States provide mental health programming. Greater coordination between those congregations and mental health providers could foster more integrated and holistic care, which may lead to improved recovery outcomes.
Autonomous Vehicles

How Should Autonomous Vehicles Be Regulated?

Sep 18, 2017

Fraade-Blanar, et al.

Autonomous vehicles could greatly reduce the risk of crashes. But the safety benefits are not yet proven and may not be known until AVs are widespread. What kind of regulatory approach could help balance innovation, risk, and uncertainty?
Military Personnel Retention

How the Army Can Retain Its Cyber Expertise

Sep 18, 2017

Wenger, et al.

Projected earnings for information security analysts with characteristics similar to those of enlisted soldiers are comparable with military pay. But retention efforts may be hampered by soldiers' perceptions of civilian opportunities.
Marijuana

Considering Cannabis Legalization in Canada

Sep 14, 2017

Kilmer @BeauKilmer

If Canada legalizes marijuana, policymakers will face complex choices that will have unpredictable consequences. Those considering alternatives to prohibition should be cautious and build flexibility into the regulations they propose.
Veteran Health Care

Repealing or Replacing ACA Would Result in More Uninsured Veterans and Stress on VA Health System

Sep 14, 2017

Dworsky, et al.

Recent congressional proposals to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would increase the number of uninsured nonelderly veterans and further increase demand for VA health care. The effects would vary across states, but the largest impacts would be felt in states that expanded Medicaid.
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

ISIL's Negative Economic Impacts on Iraq and Syria

Sep 13, 2017

Robinson @RobinsonEricD, et al.

The Islamic State reduced the GDP of cities under its control by 23 percent. The group was able to maintain stable conditions in parts of Mosul and Raqqah, but conditions elsewhere deteriorated under poor governance and an inability to defend its territory from military opposition.

Blog Posts

International Diplomacy

Book Review: 'The Chessboard and the Web,' by Anne-Marie Slaughter

Sep 22, 2017

Wyne

Few quests in international relations scholarship are as imperative and vexing as that of rethinking power — how it is defined, who wields which types, and what strategies different actors pursue to accumulate it. Slaughter's new book is a significant contribution to that end.
Military Doctrine

What a 1963 Novel Tells Us About the French Army, Mission Command, and the Romance of the Indochina War

Sep 20, 2017

Shurkin @MichaelShurkin

The novel La 317e Section (The 317th Platoon) informs and reflects an operating style rooted in the French Army's collective memory of the colonial wars. Colonial operations tended to be low-budget, small-footprint missions that placed junior officers in positions of considerable authority and responsibility. Service promised quick glory but was also more dangerous.
Military Health and Health Care

The Lack of Clarity Over Medical Support for Light Footprint Operations and How It Could Be Solved

Sep 19, 2017

Sondergaard, et al.

Early identification and planning for medical support for EU-led military operations are vital to saving lives, treating injuries and keeping personnel healthy. Common standards would ensure high-quality and consistent medical support regardless of which country is providing it.
Information Operations

How Hezbollah Came to Dominate Information Warfare

Sep 19, 2017

Clarke @ColinPClarke

Hezbollah's information warfare portfolio includes newspapers, social media outlets, television programming, and a major internet presence. Its websites reflect the group's diverse agenda and aim to be multi-generational in their approach, offering information about social services as well as a video game to engage youth.
International Diplomacy

Europe's Hour Is Here

Sep 16, 2017

Corboy, et al.

Since World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom have played disproportionate roles, enhancing European security. Now continental Europe will have to assume more of the burden in advancing Western values and interests with an unpredictable and at times unruly Russia.
Employment and Unemployment

Exploring the Challenges Facing American Workers

Sep 15, 2017

A panel of experts at RAND discussed changes in the U.S. economy and findings from a survey which asked more than 3,000 Americans about issues they face in the workplace. Frequent hostility, rising inequality, slow wage growth, and changes in the demand for certain skills are some of the issues affecting workers.

Multimedia and Infographics

Employment and Unemployment

The State of the American Worker

Sep 12, 2017

In this Events @ RAND podcast, a panel of RAND's top analysts discuss emerging trends in the labor market and policy options to address inequality and jobs of the future.
North Korea

Tensions Between North Korea and the U.S.

Aug 16, 2017

RAND experts Bruce Bennett, Andrew Scobell, and J.D. Williams host a conference call with news media discussing the rising tensions between North Korea and the United States. Senior Media Relations Officer Khorshied Samad moderates the call.
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

Making Victory Count After Defeating ISIS

Aug 4, 2017

In this Call with the Experts, Senior Policy Researcher Shelly Culbertson discusses the challenges ahead to ensure peace and stability following the defeat of ISIS in Mosul. Media relations director Jeffrey Hiday moderates the call.
Marijuana

What a Scientist Suggests You Tell Your Kids About Legal Marijuana

Jul 21, 2017

In this PBS News Hour segment, RAND Behavioral scientist Elizabeth D’Amico, who has researched drug and alcohol use among teens for more than 20 years, discusses what kids need to know about the use of legal marijuana.
North Korea

North Korea's Continuous Provocations

Jul 17, 2017

In this July 17th, 2017 congressional briefing, Bruce W. Bennett, Senior International/Defense Researcher, discusses North Korea's nuclear missile programs, its changing relationship with China, and implications for U.S. policy.
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

The Terrorist Diaspora

Jul 13, 2017

An overview of the testimony presented by Colin Clarke before the House Homeland Security Committee Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States on July 13, 2017.