Report

Choices for America in a Turbulent World

Today, the United States faces no existential threat. Rather, it confronts an unusually wide and diverse array of challenges. What strategic choices does it have in dealing with these challenges—and tomorrow's?

James Dobbins, Richard H. Solomon, et al.

Foreign Policy Challenges on the Campaign Trail

Foreign and security policy will play a significant role in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election. The campaign offers voters a wide spectrum of responses to the challenges of militant Islamism, ties with China and Russia, dealings with rogue states such as North Korea, and free trade.

U.S. Could Push One-State Solution to Bring About Israel-Palestine Peace

If the next U.S. administration were to conclude that perpetuating the Israeli-Palestinian status quo for another eight years was unacceptable or unachievable, it might begin speaking of the one-state solution not as its preferred outcome, but as one more acceptable than no solution at all.

Interdependence Day: Contending with a New Global Order

A team of RAND experts took a sober look at the threats facing the United States and developed a playbook of strategies to address them.

Reports of Global Disorder Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Deterring Russia, channeling growing Chinese power, and working with others to dismantle the Islamic State are daunting challenges—but not greater than rebuilding post-World War II Europe, containing the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War, and promoting democratic governance throughout much of the modern world.

Report

U.S. Needs to Either Boost Defense Funding or Limit Military Commitments

Limitations on defense spending in the context of emerging threats are creating a U.S. “security deficit.” How might policymakers adjust to bring resources into better alignment with strategic demands?

David A. Ochmanek, Andrew R. Hoehn @AndyHoehn, et al.

Research Brief

Addressing the Imbalance Between Strategy and Resources in a Turbulent World

Deterrence is infinitely preferable to war. But the United States now risks relying more on its reputation from past wars for deterrence than on actual military capabilities that can be brought to bear when and where needed.

David A. Ochmanek, Andrew R. Hoehn @AndyHoehn, et al.

If We Keep Cutting Defense Spending, We Must Do Less

The United States is underinvesting in defense and other instruments of national influence just when they are most needed. Improving defenses needn't require Cold War levels of expenditure but Americans should look realistically at the demands being placed on their forces and generate the revenues to meet those demands.

Report

America Needs a Collaborative Approach to Manage Its Adversaries and Strengthen Its Partnerships

How should the United States manage its relationships with partners and adversaries in a world of shrinking defense budgets and reduced political will for international engagement?

Hans Binnendijk

Commentary

U.S. National Security Decisionmaking Processes Need Streamlining

The U.S. national security system faces a range of management challenges. A leaner, more focused national security decisionmaking system can help the United States succeed in a period of tumultuous change.

Report

Strong Global Economic Engagement Is Essential to Maintaining U.S. Prosperity and Leadership Abroad

The United States stands to gain more from strengthening global institutions and engaging with the world's growing economic powers than from pulling back.

Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

Research Brief

Charting the U.S. Role in the World Economy

The strength of America's economy supports the country's international power. That makes the next administration's economic choices among its most crucial.

Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

The Made-in-America Global Security and Economic System Still Serves U.S. Interests

The next U.S. president will have many willing partners and an opportunity to expand the global system of security and economic institutions in a way that will help the United States and the world for decades.