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National Security and Terrorism

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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.

Tool

Forecasting the Demand for U.S. Ground Forces

Jul 6, 2022

This interactive tool uses a dynamic forecasting model to project future demand for U.S. ground forces. The resulting forecasts can help inform U.S. military decisions regarding future force planning, posture, and investments.
Report

How to Reduce Violent Nonstate Actors' Abilities to Adapt

Jun 6, 2022

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?

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Report

An Overview of the Effectiveness of U.S. Counternarcotics Efforts in Colombia, 2000–Present, and Recommendations for the Future

The authors of this report examine the period in Colombia from 2000 to 2020 to assess the effectiveness of U.S. counternarcotics and security efforts: eradication of coca, interdiction of cocaine, security and rule of law, and development.

Feb 11, 2022
Commentary

U.S. Military May Need to Invest More in Arctic Capabilities

Operating in the Arctic is inherently expensive. Despite this, it could be critical that the United States make the necessary investments to ensure a robust ability to operate in the Arctic to withstand Russian challenges there.

Feb 10, 2022
Research Brief

Fit for Duty: Alternative Approaches for Determining Department of Defense Disability Compensation

RAND researchers evaluated four hypothetical alternative U.S. Department of Defense disability compensation approaches that would support a simpler disability evaluation process by reducing reliance on disability ratings.

Feb 9, 2022
Report

Payment of the Full Rate of Special and Incentive Pays to Members of the Reserve Components

In this report, the authors consider the feasibility and advisability of paying eligible part-time members of the reserve component the same full monthly rate of special and incentive pays that full-time active component members receive.

Feb 9, 2022
Report

Reimagining Defense Advisory Boards: Lessons Learned for Leaders in the U.S. Department of Defense

RAND Corporation researchers embarked on this exploratory study to reveal lessons learned for how the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) can improve its use of advisory boards.

Feb 9, 2022
Journal Article

The Culture of Alcohol in the U.S. Military: Correlations With Problematic Drinking Behaviors and Negative Consequences of Alcohol Use

This paper uses data from the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey of Active Duty service members to explore associations between alcohol culture and excessive alcohol use, serious consequences, risky driving behaviors, and productivity loss.

Feb 8, 2022
Journal Article

Blockship Tactics to Trap Enemy Fleets

The U.S. Navy should initiate a blockship program to counter potential threats.

Feb 8, 2022
Commentary

Modi's Foreign-Policy Juggling Act

India lives in a difficult neighborhood, and there are no easy, straightforward solutions. But thus far—and especially under Modi—India has managed its foreign-policy challenges with remarkable effectiveness. With new partners and by making some tough decisions, there is a very good chance that it will continue to do so.

Feb 7, 2022
Commentary

How to Break the Cycle of Conflict with Russia

Europe might well be on the brink of a major catastrophe. Until Russia, the United States, Europe, and the states stuck in between them reach a consensus on a revised regional order, post-Soviet Eurasia will remain a source of instability and conflict.

Feb 7, 2022
Report

Recouping Separation Pay from U.S. Service Members and Veterans Who Later Receive Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation

The authors study how many service members and veterans experience recoupment -- or withholding -- of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs compensation due to receipt of military separation pay and how much more money they would receive but for recoupment.

Feb 7, 2022
Blog

NATO's Open-Door Policy, U.S. Health Care Payments, Climate Migrants: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on NATO’s open-door policy, U.S. health care payments, supporting climate migrants, and more.

Feb 4, 2022
Report

Relative Contractor Risks: A Data-Analytic Approach to Early Identification

The authors prototyped a new way to apply data analysis on a variety of government and commercial data sources to assess the relative contractor performance risks in Air Force acquisition contracts and programs.

Feb 4, 2022
Report

What Are the Skills Required to Obtain a Good Job? An Analysis of Labor Markets, Occupational Features, and Skill Training for the Youth ChalleNGe Program

The authors of this report identify a set of common skills among high-paying, growing occupations that do not require a bachelor's degree and describe how to incorporate such broader skills into the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program curriculum.

Feb 4, 2022
Commentary

Trying to Forestall the Next Civilian Casualty Horror

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.

Feb 3, 2022
Commentary

A United Strategy Could Reap Rewards for the United Kingdom in the High North

The multifaceted nature of Arctic policies, stretching from climate security and scientific cooperation to economic development and conflict mitigation, may require a whole-of-government approach from the United Kingdom. Such an approach could be necessary for the United Kingdom to appear a credible partner to Arctic countries and other third parties.

Feb 2, 2022
Commentary

Should NATO Close Its Doors?

In their current confrontation with Russia, the United States and its allies are defending a dangerously anachronistic principle: that all of Russia's European neighbors should be free to seek NATO membership and that NATO should be free to incorporate them. But maintaining this open-ended process of NATO expansion is likely to produce further conflicts.

Feb 2, 2022
Research Brief

UK Strategy for the High North: Navigating a changing environment out to 2050

This report offers a perspective on how the UK could maximise its influence in the High North through enhanced cooperation across government and within multilateral fora in order to tackle environmental and geopolitical changes in the region.

Feb 2, 2022
Journal Article

Decoding Crimea: Pinpointing the Influence Strategies of Modern Information Warfare

For this paper we write about information in warfare from the perspective of Strategic Communications (StratCom) and the pursuits of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.

Feb 2, 2022
Report

UK strategy for the High North: Policy Levers to Influence Developments out to 2050

This report offers a perspective on how the UK could maximise its influence in the High North through enhanced cooperation across government and within multilateral fora in order to tackle environmental and geopolitical changes in the region.

Feb 2, 2022
Commentary

Two Choices in Ukraine

Facing existential risk, Ukraine may consider unprecedented steps. Urgent measures might help it protect against a Russian invasion. And if the immediate threat were to ebb, Ukraine might use the time gained to prepare for potential future threats.

Jan 31, 2022

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National Security and Terrorism

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