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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.

Report

China's Grand Strategy

Jul 24, 2020

China aims to be well governed, socially stable, economically prosperous, technologically advanced, and militarily powerful by 2050. Will it succeed? And how might its progress affect U.S.-China relations over the next three decades?
Report

Could Yemen's Houthis Be the Next Hizballah?

Jul 13, 2020

Iran turns to sponsor-proxy relationships to expand its reach in the Middle East while minimizing the risk of inviting direct conflict. The Houthis give Iran reach into Yemen and the Red Sea, providing a means to harass its rival, Saudi Arabia. Will Iran further invest in the Houthis?

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Report

Operating Low-Cost, Reusable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Contested Environments: Preliminary Evaluation of Operational Concepts

The authors of this report summarize early thinking and analysis about how the U.S. Air Force might employ a force of "attritable"—low-cost and reusable—unmanned aerial vehicles in a demanding conventional warfighting scenario.

May 11, 2020
Report

Environment, Geography, and the Future of Warfare

Some of the most significant environmental and geographic trends that could affect U.S. national security and the future of warfare are rising global temperatures, the opening of the Arctic, sea level rise, extreme weather events, water scarcity, and increasing urbanization.

May 11, 2020
Report

The Future of Warfare in 2030: Project Overview and Conclusions

This report is the overview in a series that seeks to answer questions about the future of warfare, including who might be the United States' adversaries and allies, where conflicts will be fought, and how and why they might occur.

May 11, 2020
Research Brief

What Will the Future of Warfare Look Like?

Poor predictions about wars stem from failing to think holistically about the factors that drive changes in the global environment and their implications for warfare. Geopolitical, economic, military, space, nuclear, cyber, and other trends will shape the contours of conflict through 2030.

May 11, 2020
Report

Restraint and the Future of Warfare: The Changing Global Environment and Its Implications for the U.S. Air Force

This volume of the Future of Warfare series examines trends in factors affecting the use of restraint in warfare that could affect U.S. national security, notably effectiveness of false accusations and public concern for civilian casualties.

May 11, 2020
Report

Global Economic Trends and the Future of Warfare: The Changing Global Environment and Its Implications for the U.S. Air Force

This volume of the Future of Warfare series examines economic trends that could affect U.S. national security, including pressure on the global trading system, the rise of China, searches for new resources, and the decreasing power of U.S. sanctions.

May 11, 2020
Q&A

The Serious Side of Gaming: Q&A with Yuna Wong

Yuna Wong, codirector of RAND's Center for Gaming, didn't expect to make gaming a focus of her career. In this interview, she discusses what drew her to the field, what makes a good wargame, and her latest research on the dangers of putting too much trust in artificial intelligence.

May 8, 2020
Commentary

North Korean Provocations, Not Denuclearization

Kim Jong-un's reappearance raises questions about the course of U.S.–North Korea relationships in the coming year. What should we expect? What can we learn from the past?

May 8, 2020
Commentary

Are Military Purchases in SE Asia for Political Balancing a Good Use of National Defense Resources?

The Philippines has embarked upon a multi-phase, multi-year modernization of its armed forces, but some of the acquisition decisions appear to be driven by political symbolism rather than responsible military decisions. Using military procurement for political symbolism and paying a high price for it takes resources away from other pressing national security and domestic needs.

May 7, 2020
Commentary

Jumpstarting the U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Amid COVID-19

Since roughly 2012, South Korea–Japan ties have frayed. Could the United States encourage trilateral medical cooperation during the pandemic, ensure that the Tokyo Olympic Games are held, and in so doing help heal the relationship between Seoul and Tokyo?

May 6, 2020
Commentary

Russian S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System: Is It Worth the Sticker Price?

Many countries do not fully appreciate that effective air defense requires a networked system and not just one missile system component. Getting the true defensive value out of the S-400 surface-to-air system requires additional components that add costs and complexities.

May 6, 2020
Commentary

Protecting the U.S. Supply on Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles

Our recent RAND report on the global heavy lift launch market highlights the potential for a near term shortage of launch vehicles needed to lift U.S. defense and intelligence satellites to orbit. These satellites are the eyes, ears, networks and timekeepers of U.S. armed services, and an inability to launch them in times of need could compromise national security.

May 6, 2020
Commentary

Don't Be Fooled by China's Mask Diplomacy

China has provided coronavirus-related aid to hundreds of countries. This appears to be an effort to make the world forget its role in the COVID-19 crisis—and to take advantage of its neighbors' current distraction.

May 5, 2020
Commentary

There's Still Life in the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would terminate the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Washington and Manila have until August 9 to save it or negotiate a new VFA to avert any further alliance crisis.

May 4, 2020
Commentary

Reviewing Vietnam's 'Struggle' Options in the South China Sea

Once again, Chinese assertiveness against Vietnam in the South China Sea is on the rise. Vietnam has publicly protested each Chinese move, but these statements have yet to alter Beijing's bad behavior. Among its many options, Hanoi could look to Washington for further assistance.

May 4, 2020
Report

Report

The Marine Transportation System, Autonomous Technology, and Implications for the U.S. Coast Guard

The authors briefly explore some emerging issues for the U.S. Coast Guard related to increasingly autonomous systems and the Marine Transportation System.

May 4, 2020
Journal Article

Geolocating Explosive Growth in Preschools in Western China Due to 'Re-Education' Policies

Twenty facilities that imagery analysis, press and professional journals suggest house Uighur children have been identified in this first study of geolocating China's detention infrastructure targeting Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups.

May 1, 2020
Report

Report

Preservation of Tactical Air Combat Potential in Western Europe: Guided Missile Defense Potential

An investigation of surface-to-air guided missiles as a means of augmenting Allied tactical air bases in Western Europe from 1955 to 1958.

Apr 30, 2020
Multimedia

Using Getting To Outcomes® to Build Strong Community Action Plans and Enhance U.S. Air Force Resilience and Violence Prevention Efforts

These Getting To Outcomes® videos help with the planning, implementation, evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and sustainability of U.S. Air Force Community Action Plans.

Apr 30, 2020
Tool

Getting To Outcomes® Operations Guide for U.S. Air Force Community Action Teams: Content Area Module for Workplace Stress Prevention and Reduction in the Air Force

This content area module for workplace stress prevention and reduction is a companion volume to the Getting To Outcomes Operations Guide for U.S. Air Force Community Action Teams. It includes guidance, resources, and examples of completed tools.

Apr 30, 2020

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