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Global security includes military and diplomatic measures that nations and international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO take to ensure mutual safety and security. RAND provides analyses that help policymakers understand political, military, and economic trends around the world; the sources of potential regional conflict; and emerging threats to the global security environment.

Commentary

U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine: A Silver Bullet?

Jan 21, 2022

U.S. military assistance to Ukraine now will at best be marginal in affecting the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It might be morally justified to help a U.S. partner at risk of aggression. But given the scale of the potential threat to Ukraine and its forces, the most effective way Washington can help is to work on finding a diplomatic solution.
Commentary

Trying to Forestall the Next Civilian Casualty Horror

Feb 3, 2022

After civilians are injured or killed, the U.S. Defense Department isn't doing enough to learn from its own failures. The Pentagon needs to devote resources and senior leader attention to an issue that has historically lacked both. Civilian protection should become the singular priority for a critical mass of people across the organization.

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Blog

Overturning Roe, a New Mental Health Hotline, Russia: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on how repealing Roe v. Wade could affect women in the military, whether America is prepared to launch a new emergency mental health hotline, Russia's war in Ukraine, and more.

Jul 1, 2022
Essay

Civilian Casualties: Lessons from the Battle for Raqqa

The United States' emphasis on minimizing civilian harm in Raqqa, Syria, was quite clear and strong up and down the chain of command. But the way in which the U.S. military waged war in Raqqa too often undercut that commitment. The Pentagon asked RAND to find out what happened.

Jul 1, 2022
Commentary

Science and Security: Setting the Direction for the UK's Research Relationship with China

UK-China research has the potential to sustain the very forms of academic excellence that a more-isolationist approach sets out to protect, while also raising the possibility of bridge-building and tackling shared problems. For this to become a reality, knowledge and understanding of China in the United Kingdom must improve.

Jun 30, 2022
Commentary

What Better Way to Use the Arsenal of Democracy?

At what point can the United States and other countries no longer afford the massive transfer of weapons to the Ukrainians, lest they jeopardize the readiness of their own militaries? When does the arsenal of democracy shift to the arsenal for self? These are questions that are starting to be raised as the demand for weapons becomes clear in what is now a protracted war in Ukraine.

Jun 28, 2022
News Release

NATO Steers Towards New Focus on Human Security

Ahead of this week's NATO Summit in Madrid, RAND Europe's Centre for Human Security brought together over forty experts from across military, government, academia, think tanks, and civil society for a seminar to explore the concept of Human Security and its applications at NATO now and in the future.

Jun 24, 2022
Commentary

Has the War in Ukraine Damaged Russia's Gray Zone Capabilities?

Russia's actions are to blame for the damage done to its gray zone capabilities, but it's the West's choice to see whether this respite represents a short-term aberration or presents opportunities for some long-term fixes.

Jun 22, 2022
Commentary

Should Ukraine Settle with Russia?

Should the United States humiliate Russia—and Russian President Vladimir Putin specifically—over the Russo-Ukrainian War? It could lead to escalation and new wars, but the United States and NATO may need to think twice before offering concessions.

Jun 22, 2022
Report

How a Nation's Social Condition Relates to Its Global Standing

Certain societal characteristics are associated with national competitive success, including national ambition and will, unified national identity, and shared opportunity. Where does the United States stand in those areas? And what trends are working to weaken traditional U.S. advantages?

Jun 21, 2022
Report

Exploring Research Engagement with China: Opportunities and Challenges

This study explores the opportunities and challenges of UK academics' research engagement with China.

Jun 21, 2022
Research Brief

Exploring the opportunities and challenges of research engagement with China

A study exploring the opportunities and challenges of UK academics' research engagement with China

Jun 21, 2022
Report

Human Security and the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept: Knowledge, Insights and Lessons Learned.

These conference proceedings document the perspectives of human security experts brought together to provide recommendations on the importance of human security within the new Strategic Concept and the future of NATO.

Jun 15, 2022
Brochure

RAND Arroyo Center Annual Report 2021

This Annual Report illustrates the depth, breadth, and responsiveness of the studies that RAND Arroyo Center conducted for the Army in 2021.

Jun 10, 2022
Report

How Do Americans View Diplomacy and Diplomats?

A survey asked Americans what they think about diplomacy, the U.S. Foreign Service, and other officials who represent the nation abroad. Impressions were generally favorable, but some lacked understanding of what diplomats do, how they are selected, and the role of diplomacy in national security.

Jun 8, 2022
Report

Map of Online Violent Extremist Rhetoric Can Inform Counter-Efforts

An analysis of White identity terrorism and racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism discourse on social media finds that this content is largely created and fueled by users in the United States. A national strategy to counter these threats is needed.

Jun 7, 2022
Report

How to Reduce Violent Nonstate Actors' Abilities to Adapt

Violent nonstate actors—terrorist groups, drug trafficking organizations, and others—pose durable and direct threats to U.S. security interests. Why are they so capable of adapting to changes in their environments, and how might the Army detect and mitigate such adaptations before they occur?

Jun 6, 2022
Commentary

Modi's Multipolar Moment Has Arrived

Russia's war in Ukraine has benefited India as great powers are competing more vigorously for New Delhi's affection, particularly the United States and China. India has also prevented its Russia policy from spoiling partnerships with key European and Indo-Pacific partners. These trends, if sustained, will contribute to India's rise to great-power status and in turn, shift the global system toward even greater multipolarity.

Jun 6, 2022
Multimedia

The Growing Role of Europe in Asia: Connecting the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific

Key U.S. allies in Europe have been deepening defense cooperation with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region. A November 2021 RAND Corporation event hosted experts to discuss the growing role of Europe in Asia.

Jun 2, 2022
Commentary

Ukraine's Best Chance for Peace

In late March, Ukrainian diplomats introduced an innovative framework for a deal that could provide a pathway out of the war. There are powerful obstacles to achieving an agreement based on the framework, but so far it is the most plausible pathway identified to a sustainable peace for Ukraine.

Jun 1, 2022
Blog

Gun Policy, China and Taiwan, Russian Propaganda: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on reducing America's unacceptably high rates of gun violence, what would happen if China “quarantines” Taiwan, and Russia's “firehose of falsehood.”

May 27, 2022
Journal Article

Not So Quiet on the Southern Front

Australia faces stiff geopolitical competition in Antarctica, and it's not just China and Russia with eyes on the prize.

May 26, 2022

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RAND Topic:
Global Security

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