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RAND conducts a broad array of national security research for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied ministries of defense. Our federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) explore threat assessment, military acquisition, technology, recruitment and personnel management, counterinsurgency, intelligence, and readiness. RAND is a world leader in terrorism research. Studies address such topics as terrorism financing and strategies to undermine violent extremism.

Journal Article

Terrorism Cost the EU €180 Billion Between 2004 and 2016

Jun 6, 2018

Terrorism cost the EU about €180 billion in GDP between 2004 and 2016. Terrorist attacks can produce a range of psychological effects that may lead people and companies to change their economic behaviors. Such changes could be the reason behind the loss in GDP.
Multimedia

Russian Nuclear Forces and Prospects for Arms Control

Jun 21, 2018

An overview of testimony by Austin Long presented before the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade on June 21, 2018.

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Journal Article

Journal Article

Current and Future Demographics of the Veteran Population, 2014-2024

We estimate that the U.S. veteran population will shrink over the next decade - declining from 21.6 million in 2014 to 17.5 million by 2024, a 19-percent decrease.

Aug 17, 2018
Report

Report

Restoring U.S. Power Projection Capabilities: Responding to the 2018 National Defense Strategy

This Perspective can help to inform upcoming decisions to improve U.S. military abilities (which have been eroding vis-à-vis those of China and Russia) to deter aggression and intimidation, assure allies, and influence events in East Asia and Europe.

Aug 16, 2018
Report

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
Journal Article

Journal Article

Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Governmental Domain

This study, commissioned by the European Defence Agency, identifies key defence skills within the governmental domain and proposes recommendations for their sustainment.

Aug 16, 2018
Commentary

Here's How Russia Will Try to Interfere in the 2018 Elections

Russia will threaten U.S. midterm elections in November, although by how much is unclear. Moscow might be more restrained this year, but it could be wilier.

Aug 14, 2018
Report

Report

Supplemental Career Paths for Air Force Pilots: A Warrant Officer Component or an Aviation Technical Track?

This report documents analyses of two ways to supplement the traditional Air Force pilot career path to enhance force sustainment: a warrant officer component to fill pilot requirements or an aviation technical track for commissioned officers.

Aug 14, 2018
Commentary

Approaching a 'New Normal': What the Drone Attack in Venezuela Portends

The attempt to assassinate Venezuelan President Maduro showed that drones are easy to use and difficult to defend against. Commercial off-the-shelf technology is easy to acquire. It is imperative that counterterrorism specialists begin planning a robust response to the threat.

Aug 13, 2018
Commentary

The Military's Search for Innovation

Militaries have historically sought ways to incorporate new weapons, armaments and methods of fighting into their operations. As the United States military continues to vigorously pursue innovation, history has provided important lessons which can help guide future innovation efforts.

Aug 13, 2018
Report

Evaluation of the Strength Aptitude Test and Other Fitness Tests to Qualify Air Force Recruits for Physically Demanding Specialties

This report evaluates the Strength Aptitude Test and related fitness tests to identify strategies for ensuring airmen can meet job-related physical requirements.

Aug 10, 2018
Commentary

Bringing Back Sanctions Will Hurt U.S. Allies and Iran, but Will It Help America?

What happens if leaving the Iran nuclear deal and applying “maximum pressure” doesn't lead Iran to change its behavior or the regime to collapse? The Trump administration may find that it's much easier to break a deal than to replace it with something better.

Aug 7, 2018
Commentary

The Security Risks of a Trade War with China

As U.S.-China trade tensions continue to rise, many observers are focused on the potential for a full-fledged trade war that could destabilize the world economy. But there are security concerns as well. A China less constrained by and invested in economic ties with the United States could pose a greater challenge to U.S. foreign policy.

Aug 6, 2018
Commentary

The U.S. Air Force Is Working Harder to Retain Female Officers, and Here's How

Women are underrepresented among the U.S. Air Force's senior leadership. This could be robbing the service of the potential to improve innovation, agility, and performance. The Air Force is working to address diversity in the service, and it continues to work to improve representation of women within its ranks.

Aug 6, 2018
Testimony

Russia's Social Media Influence in Eastern Europe

Russia is engaged in an active, worldwide propaganda campaign, but it is particularly interested in targeting its western border. What can the United States and allied governments do to limit Russian influence in the region?

Aug 1, 2018
Commentary

Downloadable Guns and Other 3-D Printing Security Threats

Americans may soon be able to legally access blueprints for 3D-printed guns. The growing opposition to them shows that potential security threats do not have to be inevitable. The security challenges inherent in 3D printing could be addressed, while the development of industry norms can still be shaped.

Jul 31, 2018
Commentary

Lives on the Line: The A2AD Challenge to Combat Casualty Care

Countries such as Russia and China continue to develop and expand the ability to integrate long-range strike, anti-ship, anti-air, space and cyber abilities. Provision of medical support could be a worthy priority for NATO planners when considering deterrence of and defense against near-peer or peer adversaries.

Jul 31, 2018
Commentary

Is Nuclear Terrorism Distracting Attention from More Realistic Threats?

A nuclear terrorist attack is currently not a realistic threat. It would require an unprecedented level of sophistication from terrorists. The majority of terrorist attacks are conducted with conventional explosives.

Jul 27, 2018
Commentary

Exploring the Allied Decisions on Military Mobility in Europe

Debates about defense expenditure and concerns over NATO unity overshadowed decisions on defense and deterrence in Europe made during the recent NATO summit and European Council meetings. Both events brought significant and tangible conclusions with potential impacts on defense, deterrence, and readiness in Europe.

Jul 27, 2018
Commentary

Attempts to Order Geopolitics Have a Sobering History

Past efforts to introduce world order have resulted less from foresighted statecraft than from cataclysmic upheavals such as World War II. If the current international system erodes, what might have to happen for a new one to emerge?

Jul 25, 2018
Commentary

Making Sense of South Korea's Cautious Optimism on North Korea

South Korea is cautiously optimistic that North Korea will denuclearize, and it hopes that this will lead to the normalization of relations. The vast majority of U.S. observers believe that the North is bluffing. Seoul and Washington should continue to strive for transparency about the future of the peninsula.

Jul 24, 2018
Report

Assessing, Monitoring, and Evaluating Army Security Cooperation: A Framework for Implementation

To help the Army increase the effectiveness of its security cooperation activities, this report examines when Army security cooperation can have the greatest impact, and how the Army should assess, monitor, and evaluate security cooperation.

Jul 24, 2018

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