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Reports

Educational Institutions

Five Options for Long-Term Sustainability of Pennsylvania's State System Universities

Apr 25, 2018

Goldman

Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education faces significant challenges to its long-term sustainability, including population shifts and limited state funding. There are options to address these issues and avoid closures, but major structural changes will be needed.
Educational Institutions

Sustaining Pennsylvania's State System Universities

Apr 25, 2018

Goldman, et al.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is facing considerable challenges, such as demographic shifts, limited state funding, and strong competition. Options are available to address the system's long-term sustainability and viability, but major changes would be needed.
Artificial Intelligence

How Might Artificial Intelligence Affect the Risk of Nuclear War?

Apr 24, 2018

Geist, et al.

Experts agree that AI has significant potential to upset the foundations of nuclear security. But there are also ways that machines could help ease distrust among international powers and decrease the risk of nuclear war.
Workforce Management

How Can Government Agencies Benefit When Employees Engage in Telework?

Apr 23, 2018

Weinbaum @cortney_dc, et al.

A review of telework practices in government agencies finds similarities across successful telework programs regarding compliance with federal and organizational policies, technological accommodations, return on investment, performance management tools, and training.
Military Doctrine

The Role of Deterrence in U.S. Defense Policy

Apr 19, 2018

Mazarr

Deterrence is about much more than merely threatening an adversary. It must be conceived primarily as an effort to shape the thinking of a potential aggressor. Any strategy to prevent aggression must begin with an assessment of the potential aggressor's interests, motives, and imperatives.
Transportation Safety

Could U.S. Road Deaths Reach Zero by 2050?

Apr 19, 2018

Ecola, et al.

Motor vehicle crashes kill more than 100 Americans every day and are the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 24. A strategy that includes changes in policy, technology, and social norms could substantially improve road safety and lead to zero roadway deaths by 2050.

Blog Posts

Diet and Eating Habits

Why Obesity Rates Continue to Climb—and What Can Be Done to Stop It

Apr 26, 2018

Cohen @DrDebCohen

Too many Americans are being harmed by a food environment that lacks the necessary standards to make it easier for people to maintain a healthy weight. Policies aimed at portion control and cleaning up the food swamp could make a difference.
Counterterrorism

The Continuing Plague of Vehicle Attacks: What Can Be Done?

Apr 26, 2018

Clarke @ColinPClarke

Attacks using vehicles like the one in Toronto this week are difficult to defend against, but that doesn't mean that law enforcement and local security forces can't make progress. There are four crucial elements to consider when thinking about mitigating the effects of ramming attacks.
Foster Care

How the Child-Welfare System Could Protect More Kids and Save Billions of Dollars

Apr 25, 2018

It costs about $30 billion a year to investigate child abuse reports, counsel and support families, and provide foster homes for kids at risk. A greater focus on preventing abuse and neglect, and on placing children with relatives rather than strangers, could improve thousands of young lives.
Military Strategy

The More Things Change: Explaining Continuity in Defense Strategy

Apr 25, 2018

Cohen

United States presidential administrations from Clinton to Trump have championed different approaches to military and defense policy. The verbiage of the National Defense Strategy, however, remains relatively the same and the numbers reflect more incremental rather than monumental shifts.
Democracy

In Africa, Presidential Term Limits Are Working

Apr 24, 2018

Noyes

World news regularly features headlines about African power grabs and constitutional coups. Presidents Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia both adhered to term limits, stepping aside after finishing their second terms. Are they part of a broader trend?
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

Stabilization Is Essential to Accomplishing the Mission

Apr 24, 2018

Robinson @RobinsonL100

As the inevitable “what next” questions swirl around Iraq and Syria, and military gains remain fragile, military commanders have come to the forefront in pushing for a new model. They warn that total withdrawal will ensure bad things fill the vacuum.

Multimedia and Infographics

Military Force Planning

Overcoming the Threats of Our Strategic Competitors

Mar 27, 2018

What weapon systems and posture enhancements should Congress and the Defense Department consider to ensure that America is prepared for responsive and resilient operations in theaters of potential conflict? In this Congressional briefing, RAND's David Ochmanek discusses findings from his recent research.
North Korea

Understanding and Shaping the Ongoing Korea Crisis

Mar 26, 2018

In this Events @ RAND podcast, Bruce W. Bennett offers RAND alumni and supporters his analysis of recent developments in North Korea and suggests new strategies for putting pressure on Kim Jong-un at the negotiating table.
Cybercrime

Data Thieves: The Motivations of Cyber Threat Actors and Their Use and Monetization of Stolen Data

Mar 15, 2018

An overview of testimony by Lillian Ablon presented before the House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance.
Artificial Intelligence

The Collision of AI and Privacy

Feb 20, 2018

In this Events @ RAND podcast, RAND experts discuss risks to privacy in the age of artificial intelligence.
Autonomous Vehicles

Safety in a World of Driverless Cars

Feb 15, 2018

In this Call with the Experts, senior information scientist Nidhi Kalra discusses a RAND study that shows putting driverless cars on the road before they're nearly perfect could save lives, and also describes new approaches for safety standards.
Call with the Experts Podcast

Feb 1, 2018

Call with the Experts is an audio series that connects journalists and RAND donors with RAND experts working on issues relevant to the current policy debate.