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RAND's international affairs research comprises a range of cross-cutting issues, including global economies and trade, space and maritime security, diplomacy, global health and education, nation building, and regional security and stability. RAND also analyzes the policies and effectiveness of international organizations such as the UN, NATO, European Union, and ASEAN.

Commentary

The Strategic Fallout of U.S. Withdrawal from the Iran Deal

May 10, 2018

President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement. What will happen next? Friction between the United States and its European allies will likely increase, while Iran moves closer to China and Russia. Also, the resentment of a new generation of Iranians toward America is likely to grow.
Report

Assessing the Imbalance of Military Power in Europe

Feb 21, 2018

Since 2008 Russia has been expanding and refining its readiness for conventional warfare. These improvements have reduced the qualitative and technological gaps between Russia and NATO. What do recent trends imply for the balance of capabilities in NATO member states in the Baltic Sea region?

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News Release

RAND Europe (EU) Established in Belgium as Not-for-Profit International Association to be 'Focal Point' for RAND's EU Research Activity

RAND Europe recently announced that its co-application with the US-based RAND Corporation to establish an international non-profit association (AISBL) in Belgium, RAND Europe (EU), has been successful after it received the required notarial deed and approval by Royal Decree.

May 22, 2018
News Release

News Release

3D Printing Could Disrupt Labor Markets and National Security

While advances in additive manufacturing offer potential breakthroughs in prosthetic arms, jet engine parts, and a host of other products, 3D printing, as it is known, may also disrupt traditional labor markets and exacerbate existing security threats from violent actors.

May 9, 2018
News Release

News Release

By 2040, Artificial Intelligence Could Upend Nuclear Stability

Artificial intelligence has the potential to upend the foundations of nuclear deterrence by the year 2040. While AI-controlled doomsday machines are considered unlikely, the hazards of artificial intelligence for nuclear security lie instead in its potential to encourage humans to take potentially apocalyptic risks

Apr 24, 2018
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News Release

RAND Study Examines Ways U.S. Can Better Counter Political Warfare

The United States needs to improve the ways it combats adversaries adept at using political warfare tactics to achieve their goals and undermine U.S. interests and allies.

Apr 5, 2018
News Release

News Release

To Protect Overseas Interests, China Likely to Rely More on Contractors and Host Nation Forces Than Its Own Military

China is far less likely to involve its military in security activities abroad than has been the case for the United States or for imperial powers of previous centuries. To bolster security for the Belt and Road Initiative and other economic activities abroad, China will instead rely heavily on civilian contractors and host nation-provided forces, with Chinese military and paramilitary forces playing an important but limited role.

Mar 27, 2018
News Release

News Release

UK Likely to Be Economically Worse-Off Outside the EU Under Most Plausible Trade Scenarios

The UK economy is likely to suffer under the most probable post-Brexit trade scenarios. Leaving the EU with no deal and operating under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules would lead to the greatest economic loss for the UK, reducing GDP by nearly 5 per cent, or $140 billion, 10 years after Brexit, compared with EU membership.

Dec 12, 2017
News Release

News Release

British Public Reject “No Deal” on Brexit

The British people disagree with the claim that “no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain” when it comes to negotiations for leaving the EU. They want a deal on Brexit and are willing to compromise to get one.

Jul 14, 2017
News Release

News Release

Senior RAND Fellow Reflects on 50 Years of U.S. Diplomacy

From Vietnam in the 1960s to the Afghanistan of this decade, James Dobbins has been on the frontlines of American diplomacy, working to advance U.S. national interests in some of the world's most difficult and troubled situations. His new book provides a thoughtful insider's account.

Jun 20, 2017
News Release

News Release

Russia Perceives U.S.-Led International Order as a Threat to Its Security and Interests, but Also Seeks Cooperation

Russia sees the international order as dominated by the United States and as a threat to its interests. While U.S. and Russian interests overlap and cooperation is feasible in some areas like counterterrorism, others conflict, such as U.S. support for liberal democracy and the expansion of NATO. What are U.S. policy options?

May 18, 2017
News Release

News Release

Islamic State Control of People Down 83% in Iraq and 56% in Syria from Peak Levels

The Islamic State has lost substantial control of territory and people but still conducts and inspires attacks around the world. The U.S. should pursue a light rollback strategy that relies on local forces backed by U.S. special operations forces, intelligence assets, and airpower.

Apr 20, 2017
News Release

News Release

Domestic Political Discord Now the Greatest Threat to U.S. Global Leadership

Faced with traditional threats from opponents such as Russia and emerging threats from non-traditional adversaries such as the Islamic State, the United States needs a comprehensive foreign policy strategy that can provide stability and improve policymakers' ability to manage in today's more complex and turbulent times.

Jan 18, 2017
News Release

News Release

China Invests Warily in Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to become more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
News Release

News Release

An Independent Kurdistan Would Impact Its Neighbors

If the Kurdish region of northern Iraq were to become an independent nation the move would create important political and economic problems for the neighboring nations of Turkey and Iran, as well as for the Iraqi central government.

Nov 14, 2016
News Release

News Release

More Support for Individual Member States Is Needed to Tackle AMR in Europe

An evaluation of the European Commission's Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has shown that individual member states need more help with developing and implementing their own action plans. A one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient when dealing with the diverse challenges in each country.

Nov 3, 2016
News Release

News Release

U.S. Interests Abroad Face Steep Challenges

The United States' interests abroad are facing challenges because the alliances, economic institutions, and political relationships that have made up the international order since the end of World War II are under threat from global upheaval.

Oct 19, 2016
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
News Release

News Release

Re-establishing Border Controls in Europe Could Cost Up to €3 Billion a Year

Re-establishing border controls across Europe would cost €2 to 3 billion in annual operating costs, plus fixed one-off costs of anywhere between €0.1 and €19 billion. There would also be significant social and political costs.

Oct 13, 2016
News Release

News Release

U.S. Military Facing Challenges as Other Nations Improve Abilities to Deny Access to Territory

A United States military strategy based primarily on an ability to deploy troops anywhere it feels necessary will face heightened costs and risks in critical regions by 2025, owing to other nations' improved abilities to deny the U.S. access.

Oct 12, 2016
News Release

News Release

Ukraine's Security Sector Needs Substantial Reform

An assessment of Ukraine's security sector determines what different institutions need to do and where gaps exist. Roles and responsibilities need to be clarified, and coordination is needed among individual ministries and agencies.

Oct 5, 2016
News Release

News Release

Cutting U.S. Overseas Security Commitments Could Cost U.S. World Trade Billions

Reducing U.S. overseas security commitments, including troops and security treaties, could lead to greatly reduced trade, with the economic costs estimated to be more than triple any associated savings in U.S. defense spending.

Sep 22, 2016

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International Affairs

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