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Civil-Military Relations

RAND research on civil-military relations includes studies of how a military employs civilian contractors, how military bases interact with their neighbors, and how a nation's military affects its politics — and vice versa.

Report

The Evolution of U.S. Military Policy

Many assume there is a “traditional” U.S. military policy. But today's set of foundational laws for the Army wasn't an inevitable interpretation of the Constitution. Rather, it was the result of gradual changes to statutory law.

May 4, 2017
Report

Report

Assessing and Evaluating Department of Defense Efforts to Inform, Influence, and Persuade: Worked Example

This report presents a realistic but fictional scenario as context for how assessment planning for inform, influence, and persuade efforts should work in practice, demonstrating core principles and best practices for developing effective assessments.

Mar 22, 2017
News Release

News Release

Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction Program Helped Improve Economic Conditions and Security in Afghanistan

The ability of the U.S. military to quickly provide small-scale humanitarian relief and reconstruction services in Afghanistan enhanced the operational effectiveness of U.S. forces there during the counterinsurgency-focused 2010-2013 time frame.

Oct 13, 2016
Report

CERP Projects in Afghanistan Proved Effective

Projects under the Commander's Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan ranged from rehabilitating a local well to hydro dam and reservoir restoration. The U.S. military's ability to provide humanitarian relief and reconstruction services enhanced the operational effectiveness of its forces there.

Oct 13, 2016
Commentary

In Defense of Defense Analysis

Rather than characterize Robert McNamara's legacy as one of inefficiency, his economic, quantitative analysis of military problems should be portrayed as an innovative, if flawed, first adoption of more sophisticated methods for defense analysis.

Sep 2, 2016
Report

The Value of Military Installation Public-to-Public Partnerships

Partnerships have benefited both U.S. military installations and communities in terms of cost savings, improved operations, access to additional expertise and resources, and improved military-community relations.

Jul 12, 2016
Commentary

Book Review: 'China's Military Transformation,' by You Ji

China's military has undeniably made tremendous strides in recent years. You Ji's book provides a collection of interesting and often perceptive observations on political and intellectual aspects of a rapidly modernizing People's Liberation Army.

Jul 5, 2016
Commercial Book

Commercial Book

PLA Influence on China's National Security Policymaking

This book assesses the relationship between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its civilian masters by moving beyond media and pundit speculation to mount an in-depth examination and explanation of the PLA's role in national security policymaking.

Jun 29, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Party-Army Relations Since the 16th Party Congress: The Battle of the "Two Centers"?

The 12 months between the 16th Party Congress in October 2002 and the party plenum in November 2003 provide a fascinating snapshot of party-army relations in China.

Jun 28, 2016
Report

Report

Defense Institution Building: An Assessment

Presents an analysis of defense institution building (DIB), recommends goals and objectives, identifies partner nation and DIB activity selection criteria, develops a strategy for coordinating activities, and recommends accountability procedures.

Jun 7, 2016
Report

Report

The Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DMHA): An Assessment of Roles and Missions

This report examines the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance's history, activities, and roles to determine how its missions can best be performed to achieve the Department of Defense's objectives in this domain.

May 16, 2016
Report

Can the Air Force and Airlines Collaborate for Mutual Benefit? An Exploration of Pilot and Maintenance Workforce Options

This report explores ways the Air Force and commercial airlines could collaborate on issues related to their pilot and maintenance workforces by evaluating benefits, costs, and feasibility from the perspectives of both sides.

Apr 21, 2016
Report

Report

Improvements to Air Force Strategic Basing Decisions

Examines the Air Force's basing decisionmaking process and assesses the quality of the underlying data.

Apr 15, 2016
News Release

News Release

U.S. National Security Decisionmaking Processes Need Trimming

Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the National Security Council is necessary as the country contends with many more state and nonstate actors, around-the-clock public scrutiny, and exploding nontraditional threats.

Apr 5, 2016
Report

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.

Apr 5, 2016
Report

What Are the Advantages and Risks of Special Warfare?

Special warfare provides policymakers with an additional option that can help secure U.S. interests and manage risks. It can stabilize a friendly state or destabilize a hostile regime by operating through and with local state or non-state partners, rather than through unilateral U.S. action.

Feb 23, 2016
Report

A Counterinsurgency Win in Afghanistan?

The 2015 counterinsurgency (COIN) effort in Afghanistan ranks among the low end of historical COIN winners. The Afghan government and security forces are capable of maintaining the current stalemate with the Taliban. This is the first step on the most promising path to peace: a negotiated settlement.

Feb 4, 2016
Report

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: Decisive War, Elusive Peace

Summarizes a classified five-volume report on the planning and execution of operations in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM through June 2004. Recommends changes to Army plans, operational concepts, doctrine, and Title 10 functions.

Jan 4, 2016
Report

Defense Institution Building in Africa

Effective defense institution building (DIB) requires close coordination at every level. Improved coordination, planning, and implementation should enable DIB to advance U.S. defense objectives in Africa more effectively.

Jan 4, 2016
Report

Report

Toppling the Taliban: Air-Ground Operations in Afghanistan, October 2001–June 2002

This report describes the preparations for Operation Enduring Freedom, Army operations and support activities, coalition issues, and civil-military operations in Afghanistan from October 2001 through June 2002.

Jan 4, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Civil-Military Relations

Topic Synonyms:
Civil Affairs Activities;
CMR

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Timothy R. Heath

Senior International/Defense Researcher

Timothy Heath is a senior international defense researcher at the RAND Corporation and member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty. Prior to joining RAND in October 2014, he served as the senior analyst for the USPACOM China Strategic Focus Group for five years. He worked for more than 16…
Michael H. Decker

Director Marine Forces Programs, Senior International/Defense Research Analyst

Mike Decker is Director, Marine Forces Programs. Mike recently served as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Oversight. Prior to his appointment as ATSD (IO), he served as Director and Assistant Director of Intelligence, U.S. Marine Corps. In those positions Decker provided…

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