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Joint Operations

Report
How to Measure the Effectiveness of Special Operations
How can Army special operations missions be assessed? A new methodology relies on operational, intelligence, and publicly available data, since operational-level special operations commands often lack the staff and resources to generate assessment-level information.
Nov 13, 2019
Report
OCEANS 17 Tabletop Exercise: Findings and Recommendations
In December 2017, the RAND Corporation conducted a tabletop exercise on air operations across the boundaries between geographic combatant commands. This report describes the exercise's design, key insights from our analysis, and recommendations.
May 9, 2019
Multimedia
The Role of Multi-Domain Operations
As part of a panel on “Technology as a Battlefield Game Changer” at the 2018 Roberta Wohlstetter Forum on National Security, Stacie Pettyjohn explains the concept of multi-domain operations as a way to penetrate Chinese and Russian anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) networks and to deter or defeat aggression.
Dec 31, 2018
Commentary
An Army Caught in the Middle Between Luddites, Luminaries, and the Occasional Looney
The Futures Command is the U.S. Army's newly established major command focused on preparing for future war with a peer competitor. Why was this such an important move for the Army?
Dec 20, 2018
Report
Pacific Engagement: Forging Tighter Connections Between Tactical Security Cooperation Activities and U.S. Strategic Goals in the Asia-Pacific Region
This report examines U.S. Army security cooperation (SC) processes in the Pacific Command area of responsibility to forge stronger links between strategic and tactical levels in the planning and execution of SC activities.
Oct 23, 2018
Report
Learning from Past U.S. Army–Air Force Collaborations
The Army and the Air Force are developing the concept of multi-domain battle to better coordinate air and ground forces to meet shared challenges. Lessons from past efforts show that to succeed, multi-domain battle will have to address the fundamental questions of each service's culture and deeply held views about warfighting.
Sep 13, 2018
Commentary
Huge Military Drills Show Both the Limits and the Durability of China-Russia Ties
The appearance of military cooperation between China and Russia masks deep strategic distrust and suspicion. But despite these real limitations, strong incentives and a lack of alternatives provide a sturdy foundation for a continued strategic partnership going forward.
Sep 11, 2018
Report
Promoting Joint Warfighting Proficiency: The Role of Doctrine in Preparing Airmen for Joint Operations
This report describes the differences and similarities between Air Force and joint doctrine and identifies ways to increase doctrinal alignment. It also evaluates the potential role of doctrine in increasing airmen's joint warfighting proficiency.
Aug 16, 2018
Commentary
Military Mobility Returns to the Forefront in Europe
The importance of military mobility has returned only recently to the international high-level agenda, specifically NATO and the European Union. The EU is expected to tackle the issue of military mobility during a European Council meeting in late June, and NATO will convene a summit in July.
Jun 25, 2018
Testimony
U.S. Responses to PLA Modernization
In responding to the PLA's modernization, U.S. decisionmakers should consider two key facts. First, China recognizes a major war with America would likely destroy its national development objectives. Second, most of the PLA's modernization corresponds to capabilities the United States has already attained.
Feb 15, 2018
Report
Command and Control of Joint Air Operations in the Pacific: Methods for Comparing and Contrasting Alternative Concepts
This report recommends methods for comparing and contrasting alternative organizational concepts for command and control of joint air operations in the Pacific in different scenarios.
Jan 18, 2018
Commentary
Is the Philippines the Next Caliphate?
The Philippines is a long way from the Islamic State's birthplace in the Middle East. But the jihadis have already seized and held a city there for three months. Even if the Philippines doesn't become a major node in the Islamic State's network, it will likely remain fertile ground for supporting the group and its violent agenda.
Nov 28, 2017
Research Brief
Air Force Senior Leader Representation in the Joint Community
Airmen are underrepresented in senior joint positions critical to shaping U.S. national security strategy and warfighting capability. Increasing competitiveness for senior joint positions may entail risks and will require cultural transformation.
Oct 3, 2017
Report
Rare Birds: Understanding and Addressing Air Force Underrepresentation in Senior Joint Positions in the Post–Goldwater-Nichols Era
To help the Air Force increase representation in the most-senior joint positions, this report quantifies Air Force representation in those positions and recommends how the Air Force might control factors shaping joint leader selection.
Oct 3, 2017
Report
The Impact of U.S. Special Operations Forces in the Philippines
U.S. special operations forces' activities in the Philippines between 2001 and 2014 helped reduce transnational terrorist threats and support for terrorist groups. They also increased Philippine security forces' capabilities and enhanced bilateral defense ties.
Apr 6, 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
Sustaining U.S. Leadership in the Asia-Pacific Region
While the U.S. has been occupied with recent military operations, other potential adversaries have been advancing their own military capabilities. A debate over the appropriate set of responses — strategic, operational, and technical — has begun.
Feb 23, 2015
Research Brief
Lessons from 13 Years of War Point to a Better U.S. Strategy
This brief summarizes seven lessons from the past 13 years of war and identifies critical requirements for land forces, special operations forces, and partners to collaborate successfully.
Dec 10, 2014
Blog
7 Lessons from 13 Years of War
RAND senior international policy analyst Linda Robinson addressed the annual Army USA Conference in Washington to present new research that distills lessons learned from the U.S. experience in the last 13 years of war.
Oct 16, 2014
Report
Lessons from Past 13 Years of War Can Improve Future Strategy
Lessons from the past 13 years of war provide insight into the future operating environment and identify critical requirements for land and special operations forces to collaborate successfully with various partners in future conflicts.
Oct 14, 2014

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Michael Schwille

Senior Policy Analyst

Mike Schwille is a senior policy analyst at RAND. His primary research interest focuses on the integration of information into combined arms warfare. He has experience with Joint, Army and Marine Corps concept development, Operations in the Information Environment, countering A2AD strategies,…
Jonathan Welch

Senior Policy Analyst

Jonathan Welch is a senior policy analyst who works on a broad range of defense and intelligence matters. He began working with RAND in 2012. Before joining RAND he served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as an infantry officer. On active duty he deployed to Iraq with the…

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