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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.

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The Emerging Risk of Virtual Societal Warfare

Oct 9, 2019

Living in an information society opens unprecedented opportunities for hostile rivals to cause disruption, delay, inefficiency, and active harm. Social manipulation techniques are evolving beyond disinformation and cyberattacks on infrastructure sites. How can democracies protect themselves?
Article

How High-Quality Mental Health Care Improves Veterans' Lives

Sep 25, 2019

A growing body of RAND research shows that veterans who receive high-quality care have the best chance of improving their mental health outcomes.

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Evaluating Future Trends in Support of the Air Force Strategic Environment Assessment: Discussion and Results from a Structured Workshop

This report presents plausible futures based on nine trends in the categories of Geopolitical, Military & Warfare, and Human & Workforce to assist Air Force strategic planning in developing the Air Force Strategic Environment Assessment.

Oct 21, 2019
Commentary

The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.

Oct 21, 2019
Commentary

How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS

President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria could provide the ISIS terrorist group with the time and space to regrow its organization and extend its networks throughout the Middle East. The longer-term strategic effects of the decision could reverberate in the region for years to come.

Oct 21, 2019
Report

Could Autonomous Drones Make Blood Deliveries?

Blood must be transported and stored in a certain way, and has a finite shelf life. Unmanned systems offer flexibility in chaotic or uncertain environments. Could autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles make the military's blood supply network more resilient?

Oct 18, 2019
Commentary

Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.

Oct 18, 2019
Commentary

U.S. Economic War on China Weakens Nuclear North Korea, Too

An effective mechanism for bending North Korea's toward denuclearization may be exerting consistent and targeted political, economic, and security pressure on China. Diminishing Beijing's relevance, while not a panacea, could pierce Kim's illusion of invincibility and place him in a bind to make some substantial concessions.

Oct 18, 2019
Commentary

Iran, the Unitary State

Current and future U.S. policy toward Iran must begin with the premise that the Islamic Republic is the sum of its parts and that to try to empower moderates or disempower hard-liners is naive. Rather, Washington should strive to deal with Iran as it is, not as Washington wishes it were.

Oct 18, 2019
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Next-Generation Wargaming for the U.S. Marine Corps: Recommended Courses of Action

The authors evaluate wargaming tools as the U.S. Marine Corps invests in its next-generation wargaming concept. The authors describe wargaming processes, facilities, and skill sets and recommend courses of action.

Oct 16, 2019
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Reflections on the Future of Warfare and Implications for Personnel Policies of the U.S. Department of Defense

This Perspective summarizes and synthesizes material from a workshop addressing how U.S. Department of Defense personnel policies may evolve to address future warfare environments, which are expected to be heavily influenced by advanced technologies.

Oct 16, 2019
Commentary

Iran's Proxies Are More Powerful Than Ever

The Trump administration has pursued a so-called maximum pressure strategy designed to alter the course of Iran's foreign and security policies, which relies heavily on sanctions to change Iranian behavior. Financial sanctions are an important part of any counterterrorism strategy. But they aren't enough.

Oct 16, 2019
Commentary

Embrace Open-Source Military Research to Win the AI Competition

Unless the Pentagon embraces a more open approach to artificial intelligence, it will be left behind. Private sector innovation in this space is too fast. But what are the risks of disseminating potentially sensitive AI technology? And what should not be disclosed?

Oct 16, 2019
Report

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National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2017–2018

This report documents the progress of participants in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program in 2017-2018. ChalleNGe is a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16-18 who are experiencing difficulty in traditional high school.

Oct 15, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

With Small Power, Comes Great Responsibility: Lessons Learned from an Evaluation of Veteran and Military Mental Health Public Awareness Campaigns

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of conducting a cost-benefit evaluation of federally-funded media campaigns encouraging mental health help-seeking among United States military personnel and veterans.

Oct 15, 2019
Commentary

Review of Behavioral Health Technician Training, Policies, and Practice Identifies New Opportunities

Behavioral health technicians are trained to be an essential part of the mental health clinical team, serving as provider extenders who work alongside and support licensed mental health providers. What are the factors that affect these roles? And how can the Military Health System most effectively incorporate them into mental health care settings?

Oct 15, 2019
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Right-Sizing Marine Corps Intermediate Supply Units: A Staffing Model and Proposed Process Improvements

The authors present a methodology to determine optimal personnel capacity for Marine Corps intermediate-level supply accounts and other measures to help these accounts work more effectively and efficiently to meet supported units' needs.

Oct 14, 2019
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Literature on Personnel Vetting Processes and Procedures: Annotated Selected Bibliography

To help inform the U.S. government in its efforts to improve the vetting processes for public trust and national security positions and protect its assets and information, the authors assembled a selected bibliography of relevant literature.

Oct 14, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Winning the Peace in Iraq: Don't Give Up on Baghdad's Fragile Democracy

Following years of war, Iraq's parliamentary government is stable and concerned with governance rather than sectarianism. But the work is not yet complete, and the author stresses diligence and patience before a lasting peace can be achieved.

Oct 11, 2019
Infographic

Infographic

Army Spouse Survey: Data to Help the Army Meet Spouses' Unique Needs

A survey of Army spouses identified challenges that Army families face and resources they need, including how spouses prioritize needs and how the Army can best address their most-pressing unmet needs.

Oct 8, 2019
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Understanding Behavioral Health Technicians Within the Military: A Review of Training, Practice, and Professional Development

Are military behavioral health technicians adequately prepared for their roles? Are their skills being put to the best use? The authors examine selection, training, and responsibilities and offer recommendations to optimize training and roles.

Oct 7, 2019

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