April 2012

blog

National Take-Back Day Provides Option to Safely Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs

Policymakers have been struggling with how to best stop the nation's fastest growing drug problem—prescription drug abuse. One of the Administration's recent efforts is this weekend's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

blog

Could Coal Mine Drainage Be Used for Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Extraction?

A recent RAND report examines the feasibility and challenges of using coal mine drainage for hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale.

blog

American Adults Consume Twice the Recommended Amount of Junk Food

Is eating more fruits and vegetables the key to reducing obesity? Evidence suggests this may not be the most effective strategy. A recent RAND study of more than 2,700 adults found that calorie intake from cookies, candy, salty snacks, and soda was about twice as high as the recommended daily amount.

announcement

Paul Baran Named Internet Hall of Fame Pioneer

Paul Baran, who helped develop the building blocks of the Internet during the 1960s while working as a researcher at the RAND Corporation, was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. He was honored posthumously in the Pioneers Circle with others who were instrumental in the early design and development of the Internet.

commentary

Book Review: 'Why Nations Fail' by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson

'Why Nations Fail' is a sweeping attempt to explain the gut-wrenching poverty that leaves 1.29 billion people in the developing world struggling to live on less than $1.25 a day. You might expect it to be a bleak, numbing read. It's not. It's bracing, garrulous, wildly ambitious and ultimately hopeful, writes Warren Bass.

Warren Bass

commentary

Think Again: Al Qaeda

Predictions of al Qaeda's imminent demise are rooted more in wishful thinking and politicians' desire for applause lines than in rigorous analysis, writes Seth G. Jones.

Seth G. Jones

commentary

The Marijuana Exception

Being honest about the uncertainties involved is the price of admission to any serious discussion about marijuana legalization, writes Beau Kilmer.

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

blog

Join RAND at the LA Times Festival of Books This Weekend

For the 16th consecutive year, RAND will be a featured participant at this weekend's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (April 21-22) held at USC. Our booth will have RAND books and reports for sale at discounted festival pricing, activities for kids, and fun giveaways with purchases.

blog

Earth Day and RAND

As people around the world prepare for the 42nd annual Earth Day this Sunday, we look back at some of the recent research from RAND's Environment, Energy, and Economic Development program.

commentary

Cairo's Candidate Shuffle

Just as before the disqualifications, the fundamental decision voters face is about the scope and nature of the change Egypt will undergo in the coming years. And there are still candidates representing almost every position on that spectrum, writes Jeffrey Martini.

Jeffrey Martini

blog

Energy Services Analysis Can Identify Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Changing how a service is provided can create opportunities to conserve energy. A new RAND study does just that, using Energy Services Analysis to identify and evaluate new ways to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

commentary

Russia Protests Are Overblown by West—Putin Is Here to Stay

As long as the pressure for greater transparency and political change remains limited to the middle class in Moscow and a few urban areas, its political impact is likely to be limited, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

F. Stephen Larrabee

q&a

Iran's Calculations in New Diplomatic Talks

Beset by economic problems, political divisions, and domestic discontent, Iranian leaders may compromise—or appear to make compromises—to cushion the regime from the mounting internal and external pressures, writes Alireza Nader.

commentary

The Path to the Right Active/Reserve Mix: You Need to Understand Cost Per Output

The cost of providing ready aircrews, maintainers, and aircraft is one measure. But the cost of generating flying hours and satisfying ongoing operational demands must also be considered, writes Albert A. Robbert.

Albert A. Robbert

blog

Tax Credits Can Boost Employment Among Vets with Disabilities

RAND researchers undertook a study designed to measure the impact of the 2007 WOTC tax credit expansion on the employment and earnings of disabled veterans. They found that the new tax credits expanded employment significantly among the target group of disabled veterans.

blog

Rising Health Care Costs and the Middle Class

A new RAND study finds that rising health care costs reduce the availability of and enrollment in employment-based private health insurance, and the financial protection provided by it, especially for middle class families.

blog

Rep. Adam Smith Gives Policy Address on Defense Spending Efficiencies

On March 29, 2012, Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, gave a policy address at the RAND Corporation's Washington Office.

blog

Celebrating the Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child, a national initiative to support and honor America's service members and their families. The celebration is being recognized with events around the country, and is a key national initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama.

commentary

Terror's 'Invisible Women'

For their part, a younger generation of female jihadists has come to believe that acts of violence can be just as liberating politically and spiritually for women as for men, writes Karla Cunningham.

Karla J. Cunningham

commentary

History Favors More Time

The Afghans will have better prospects for defeating their insurgency with continued improvement, of course, and the United States can contribute to that improvement while American forces remain, writes Christopher Paul.

Christopher Paul

announcement

American Educational Research Association Honors RAND Research with 'Outstanding Policy Report' Award

A RAND Education report, A Big Apple for Educators, will receive the first Outstanding Policy Report award from the American Educational Research Association. The report analyzes the Schoolwide Performance Bonus Program.

commentary

Will Khamenei Compromise?

For Khamenei, increasing US and Israeli concerns regarding the nuclear program may enhance its value as a deterrent and point of leverage in Iran's conflict with the US, making the nuclear program a major tool to be used against the US, rather than a prize to be bargained away, writes Alireza Nader.

Alireza Nader