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National Security Legislation

Report
Expanding Operating and Support Cost Analysis for Major Programs During the DoD Acquisition Process: Legal Requirements, Current Practices, and Recommendations
The Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation is required to perform a broad set of cost analysis duties related to major defense acquisition programs but does not always have the resources to fulfill its duties.
Sep 17, 2018
Report
Assessment of the Proliferation of Certain Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems: Response to Section 1276 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
RAND Corporation researchers assessed the impact that certain remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) governed by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) have on U.S. national security interests. In this report, they document their findings.
Jun 14, 2018
Research Brief
Evaluation Finds Excess Property Program Is Efficient and Effective, but Perceptions About Militarized Police Persist
The Law Enforcement Support Office program is efficient and effectively reuses excess Department of Defense property, but perceptions persist that the program contributes to the militarization of police.
May 21, 2018
Report
DoD's Excess Property Program Works, but Perceptions About Militarized Police Persist
The Department of Defense provides excess equipment—everything from desks to rifles to airplanes—at little or no cost to law enforcement agencies across America. This program is efficient and effective, but there are perceptions that it contributes to the militarization of police.
May 14, 2018
Report
The History and Politics of Defense Reviews
This report explores the history and politics behind the post-Cold War history of defense reviews to understand how they evolved, what they can and cannot accomplish, and how the services and the Department of Defense can maximize their future use.
Apr 25, 2018
Commentary
The Chairman the Pentagon Needs
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford says that to fight and win 21st century wars, the department should find a way to globally integrate below the secretary of defense. To do so, the chairman's role would have to expand to allow him to advise the secretary on the allocation and transfer of forces for transregional, multi-functional, and multi-domain operations.
Jan 5, 2018
Report
Assessing Bid Protests of U.S. Department of Defense Procurements: Identifying Issues, Trends, and Drivers
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 called for a study of "the prevalence and impact of bid protests on DoD acquisitions," including the systematic collection and analysis of information on their characteristics and outcomes.
Jan 4, 2018
Commentary
The Big Border Security Question
What does a secure U.S.-Mexico border look like? And what kind of security measures are needed? Despite investing billions of dollars since 9/11, it's still a struggle to measure how effective U.S. border security operations are.
Dec 9, 2017
Report
Follow the Money: Promoting Greater Transparency in Department of Defense Security Cooperation Reporting
This report analyzes the obstacles that the Department of Defense (DoD) faces in tracking security cooperation spending and provides recommendations for streamlining DoD's reporting process to meet new requirements for transparency.
Sep 19, 2017
Announcement
Statement on Death of Zbigniew Brzezinski
RAND notes with regret the death of Zbigniew Brzezinski, former chair of the advisory board of RAND's Center for Middle East Public Policy and exemplary public servant who mastered both the strategic and operational details of national security policy.
May 28, 2017
Report
Improving Implementation of the Department of Defense Leahy Law
The Leahy laws prohibit U.S. assistance to foreign security forces that have committed gross violations of human rights. This report analyzes the vetting process that helps the Department of Defense implement these laws and recommends improvements.
Feb 17, 2017
Report
Authorities for Military Operations Against Terrorist Groups: The State of the Debate and Options for Congress
U.S. counterterrorism operations rely on authorizations from 2001 and 2002. This report surveys the debate over requirements for a new authorization, the terrorist challenge, purposes and key elements of such legislation, and congressional options.
Jul 22, 2016
Research Brief
Employment Assistance for Reserve Component Members
RAND researchers reviewed previous research, conducted informational discussions with employment program managers, and identified ways to improve efforts to provide federal job placement and related employment services for reserve component members.
Mar 24, 2016
Report
Job Placement Assistance for Military Reservists
There are 40 federal programs, resources, and offices that provide job placement assistance that can be accessed by reserve component members. There is potential overlap among the programs and clearer guidance on how to navigate them is needed.
Mar 24, 2016
Report
Framing Title 10 Authorities to Simplify Security Cooperation
The proliferation of legislative authorities for the Department of Defense since September 11, 2001 has created an unwieldy catalog of statutes which generate challenges to DoD security cooperation activities. A new framework and options to streamline the authorities can help DoD's security cooperation efforts.
Mar 2, 2016
News Release
New Congressional Authorization Needed Against Evolving Terrorist Threats
The existing authorization given to the U.S. military to conduct counterterrorism operations is ill suited to defeat international terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Dec 7, 2015
Report
Joint Precision Approach and Landing System Nunn-McCurdy Breach Root Cause Analysis and Portfolio Assessment Metrics for DoD Weapons Systems, Volume 8
The authors examine the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System Inc. 1A Nunn-McCurdy breach and document a methodology that can assess and summarize the overall performance of an acquisition portfolio at a point in time and over several years.
Oct 23, 2015
Commentary
Multiple Factors Drive Program Success
Congress continues to express concerns about weapon system cost growth and is considering multiple acquisition reform proposals for the National Defense Authorization Act. One proposal would hold program managers accountable via a “performance agreement” for key parameters that must be met.
Sep 30, 2015
Commentary
Congress Should Monitor Iran Deal, Not Keep Trying to Kill It
If Iranian compliance with the nuclear accord is Congress's goal, then legislators should focus on ensuring that the deal is effectively implemented.
Sep 12, 2015
Commentary
Apply Principles of Professional Change Management to Acquisition Reform, or Risk Failure
If Congress enacts substantial changes to acquisition processes as part of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, then it has a responsibility to ensure that the DoD has the opportunity and resources to implement proven change management principles to increase the chances for its success.
Aug 7, 2015

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RAND Topic:
National Security Legislation

Researcher Spotlight

Devon Hill

Senior Defense Analyst

Devon Hill is a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, currently based in Seattle, WA. He has experience working across RAND's FFRDCs with a particular interest in military personnel policy, defense acquisition, and talent management and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. He is…
Richard S. Girven

Senior International/Defense Research Analyst

Rich Girven (he/him) is a senior international defense research analyst at the RAND Corporation. He came to RAND from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, where he served as the Director of Analysis. A former career Army Foreign Area Officer focusing principally on South Asia, he served…

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