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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
Arctic Capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces
The United States has considerable interests in the Arctic and is one of just eight countries with territory in the region. How do U.S. armed forces' capabilities differ from those of other countries operating there, including Russia, China, and allies?
Nov 1, 2023
Commentary
The Israel-Hamas War Has Upended the Terrorist Threat Matrix
Today's terrorist threat matrix seems more like an abstract expressionist painting. To those accustomed to traditional landscapes, it is difficult to discern what it depicts. The fighting in Gaza may well provoke terrorist repercussions beyond the region, the magnitude and shape of which will depend on the course of the conflict.
Nov 22, 2023

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Blog
Escalation in Ukraine, a Trilateral Imperialist Threat, Disaster Recovery: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the risk of escalation in Ukraine, the growing threat of a North-Korea-Russia-China partnership, the economics of disaster recovery, and more.
Sep 22, 2023
Commentary
UFO Research Is Only Harmed by Antigovernment Rhetoric
There is an undercurrent of conspiracy theory and, relatedly, antigovernment sentiment brewing around the issue of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). If it grows, it could prove toxic to any factual and scientific discussion of UAPs.
Sep 22, 2023
Research Brief
Understanding the Risk of Escalation in the War in Ukraine
What might lead to escalation of the war in Ukraine? And how can U.S. and allied policymakers both prepare for—and prevent—such a scenario from occurring?
Sep 21, 2023
Report
Escalation in the War in Ukraine: Lessons Learned and Risks for the Future
This report evaluates the potential for further escalation in the war in Ukraine, including possible escalation to Russian nuclear use, to better inform U.S. and allied decisions and the public debate.
Sep 21, 2023
Research Brief
Findings and Recommendations for Funding Technology-Related Business Initiatives in the Department of the Air Force
This brief provides a short overview of the budgeting and execution process, describes findings related to the funding of technology-related business initiatives, and offers some recommendations for better program advocacy.
Sep 21, 2023
News Release
RAND Analysis Outlines Possible Further Escalation in Ukraine Conflict, Including Potential for Russian Nuclear Attack
A new RAND Corporation analysis evaluates the potential for further escalation of Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, including the grave prospect of a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine. A perception that Russian military losses on the battlefield are threatening the security of Putin's regime would provide the most likely trigger for a nuclear attack on Ukrainian territory.
Sep 21, 2023
Commentary
Cyber Attacks Reveal Uncomfortable Truths About U.S. Defenses
Without government investments and policies to drive transparency and a clear understanding of what cybersecurity tools do, how well they work, and how securely they are built, the United States risks continuing to offer its adversaries the means to undermine its systems and, ultimately, its security.
Sep 21, 2023
Report
Building a Joint Cyber Weapons Acquisition Program in the Marine Corps: Software Acquisition Pathway Lessons Learned
The authors present lessons learned from an effort to inform future U.S. Marine Corps Joint Cyber Weapon program acquisition information requirements and educate Department of Defense Software Acquisition Pathway program planning efforts.
Sep 20, 2023
Report
Food Insecurity Among Veterans
Veterans experiencing food insecurity are less likely than nonveterans to be enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. What factors affect this? And how might policymakers address the problem?
Sep 20, 2023
Research Brief
Reducing Policy Barriers to SNAP Participation by Food-Insecure Veterans
Food-insecure veterans are consistently less likely than their nonveteran peers to be enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but there are opportunities to improve policies and boost veterans’ program participation.
Sep 20, 2023
Commentary
Taking the Measure of AI and National Security
Transformative technologies should not be abandoned due to their risks. Instead, we should focus on understanding the threats, implementing necessary countermeasures, and utilizing the tools in a safer and more secure manner.
Sep 20, 2023
Report
Virtual Behavioral Health for Army Soldiers: Soldier Perspectives and Patterns of Treatment
The authors examined trends in the use of virtual behavioral health (VBH) care for U.S. Army soldiers and their spouses from prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic through March 2022 and surveyed soldiers about their perceptions of VBH care.
Sep 19, 2023
Commentary
Why Improve Ukraine's Deep-Strike Capability?
Coordinated deep-strike capabilities—air-launched and ground-launched—will be most effective in degrading Russian forces and operations. Using air and ground launchers would force Russian commanders to devote substantial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to attempt to find these systems.
Sep 19, 2023
Journal Article
Findings from the Sustaining Delivery of the Covenant Programme
This study, conducted on behalf of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), evaluates the grant funding provided through the AFCFT’s Strengthening Delivery Programme (SDP) and Sustaining Delivery Programme.
Sep 18, 2023
Commentary
Looking Beyond the War: Planning for Ukraine's Reconstruction
More certain than the outcome of the war is the need for an extensive post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. It is likely to be the largest post-war rebuilding effort since the one in Europe after World War Two. The United States and its allies and partners have an intense interest in the success of reconstruction.
Sep 18, 2023
Commentary
With ASEAN Paralyzed, Southeast Asia Seeks New Security Ties
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations tirelessly proclaims its centrality to the region, but its inability to develop a coherent response to Chinese aggression or the crisis in Myanmar has effectively killed that claim. ASEAN members will inevitably continue to seek out alternative paths.
Sep 18, 2023
Commentary
The Strawman Defense Is Torching Taiwan's Military
There are many reasons why the political future of Taiwan Strait relations is uncertain, but the military considerations for Taiwan are much more straightforward. Taiwan should invest in capabilities that are highly survivable and potent against a potential attack from mainland China.
Sep 15, 2023
Commentary
Separate U.S. Alliances in East Asia Are Obsolete
Washington manages its alliances with Tokyo and Seoul separately. But growing South Korean and Japanese military capabilities make a conversation about more integration unavoidable.
Sep 14, 2023
Commentary
North Korea, Russia and China: The Developing Trilateral Imperialist Partnership
There are no easy ways for the United States and its allies to counter the developing Russia-China–North Korea partnership. But there are options to consider and steps to take. There are also fissures in their relationships to exploit.
Sep 13, 2023
Report
Using Quality Measures and Measurement-Based Care to Improve Behavioral Health Care for Veterans and Service Members
Using quality measures and measurement-based care can help community-based organizations that provide behavioral health (BH) care to veterans and service members ensure that their BH care is high-quality and effective.
Sep 12, 2023

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National Security and Terrorism

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Beth J. Asch

Senior Economist

Beth Asch is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her areas of study include labor economics and defense manpower. She has led numerous studies on compensation design in the military and in the federal civil service, on the…
Lisa Saum-Manning

Associate Director, International Security and Defense Policy Program

Lisa Saum-Manning is an associate director of the International Security and Defense Policy Program, part of the RAND National Security Research Division. She recently served as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for the Conflict and Stabilization Office. Her research focuses…

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