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National Security Legislation

Report
Expiration of Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Could Hurt National Security
The current terrorism risk insurance act will expire in 2014 and Congress again is considering the appropriate government role in terrorism insurance markets. If the act expires and the take-up rate for terrorism insurance falls, then the U.S. would be less resilient to future terrorist attacks.
Mar 6, 2014
Report
What Security Cooperation Mechanisms Do Combatant Commands Utilize to Build Partner Capacity?
Security cooperation with allies and partner countries is an important instrument of the U.S. government for advancing national security objectives. This report characterizes security cooperation mechanisms for capacity-building, produces a detailed database of the mechanism elements, develops and applies a preliminary means of evaluating select mechanisms, and recommends ways to improve mechanism effectiveness and efficiency.
Nov 22, 2013
Report
Assessment of the Air Force Materiel Command Reorganization
One challenge of the FY12 Air Force Material Command (AFMC) reorganization was to eliminate civilian manpower positions with minimal, if any, impact on its assigned missions. This report for Congress assesses five elements of this reorganization.
Nov 21, 2013
Report
Management Perspectives Pertaining to Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 4: Program Manager Tenure, Oversight of Acquisition Category II Programs, and Framing Assumptions
Concerned with cost overruns in programs that breached Nunn-McCurdy thresholds, Congress directed investigation of the root causes of these overruns, and the authors examine various possible contributors to these breaches.
Oct 3, 2013
Report
Using Software to Find Conflicts and Inconsistencies in DoD Policies
Software called EPIC allows defense analysts to efficiently analyze multiple policy documents to detect potential conflicts in policy early on, thereby allowing policy developers to focus their attention on the need for clarification and, possibly, changes in policy.
Jun 20, 2013
Report
The Strategic Benefits, Risks, and Costs of U.S. Military Presence Overseas
While the DoD is under pressure to reduce costs, meaningful savings from overseas posture changes would require choosing from a small set of options, each presenting benefit trade-offs. U.S. military presence contributes to assurance of allies, deterrence, contingency responsiveness, and security cooperation.
Apr 29, 2013
Research Brief
U.S. Overseas Military Posture: Relative Costs and Strategic Benefits
In an environment of fiscal constraints and shifting strategic needs, policymakers should carefully weigh the strategic capability effects, relative costs, and risks associated with potential changes to U.S. overseas military posture.
Apr 29, 2013
Report
Obtaining Life-Cycle Cost-Effective Facilities in the Department of Defense
The Department of Defense constructs, operates, and maintains numerous facilities. This report shares RAND's description and assessment of the process used to obtain life-cycle cost-effective facilities and how it affects construction options.
Mar 5, 2013
Research Brief
Robust Decision Making Aids Planning Under Deep Uncertainty
Quantitative analysis is often indispensable to sound planning, but with deep uncertainty, predictions can lead decisionmakers astray. Robust Decision Making supports good decisions without predictions by testing plans against many futures.
Feb 28, 2013
Journal Article
State Terrorism and Human Rights: An Incremental Tyranny
Perceived threats to liberty by the military-industrial complex that gave great cause for concern in the past have given way to fears of a security state, which has fueled perception of a perpetual danger requiring endless war.
Jan 1, 2013
Report
Assessing the Impact of Requiring Justification and Approval Review for Sole Source 8(a) Native American Contracts in Excess of $20 Million
A new federal requirement for justification and approval of 8(a) contracts over $20 million may delay the awarding of these contracts to eligible participants such as Native Group firms but have little impact on the number of such contracts awarded.
Dec 10, 2012
Report
Methodologies in Analyzing the Root Causes of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches
Congressional concern with cost overruns in some major defense acquisition programs led to an investigation of root causes in six programs, enabling RAND to develop a methodology for carrying out such analyses.
Sep 27, 2012
Report
Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 2: Excalibur Artillery Projectile and the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning Program, with an Approach to Analyzing Complexity and Risk
Concern with cost overruns in major defense acquisition programs led Congress to direct investigation of root causes of programs that breached Nunn-McCurdy thresholds. RAND applied its methodology to Excalibur and the Navy's ERP.
Aug 27, 2012
Journal Article
National Insecurity: Just How Safe Is the United States?
Given the threats it faces, from nuclear-armed autocracies to terrorists, the United States cannot afford to scale back its military.
Jul 1, 2012
Report
What Are the Restrictions on the Service of Active-Component Military Women?
Most of the U.S. military positions that remain closed to women service members are those in Army and Marine Corps units and occupations that have a primary mission of engaging in direct ground combat.
May 21, 2012
Report
A Review of the Army's Modular Force Structure
In 2003, the U.S. Army moved from a division-based to a brigade-centric modular force structure. Congress requested a study of the process and outcomes of the initiative to assess the impact on the Army's capabilities in a range of operations.
Mar 16, 2012
Report
Root Cause Analyses of Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 1: Zumwalt-Class Destroyer, Joint Strike Fighter, Longbow Apache, and Wideband Global Satellite
Congressional concern with cost overruns in some major defense acquisition programs led to an investigation of root causes by examining program reviews, analyzing data, participating in contractor briefings, and holding meetings with stakeholders.
Nov 7, 2011
Report
How Successful Are U.S. Efforts to Build Capacity in Developing Countries? A Framework to Assess the Global Train and Equip "1206" Program
The Global Train and Equip
Sep 14, 2011
Report
A Methodology for Implementing the Department of Defense's Current In-Sourcing Policy
The authors review the recent history of sourcing in the Department of Defense, assess relevant laws and policies, offer interpretations of key terms, and describe an approach to implementing current in-sourcing guidance.
Sep 8, 2011
Research Brief
Results from the Congressionally Mandated Study of U.S. Combat and Tactical Wheeled Vehicle
Congress requested a study to assess the challenges in fielding U.S. ground combat and tactical wheeled vehicle fleets, including discussion of requirements; capability gaps; technology, operational, and business risks; and recommended actions.
Feb 11, 2011

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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…
Eric V. Larson

Senior Policy Researcher

Eric V. Larson is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation with government and research experience in national security and defense analysis and strategic planning; public opinion on security and other policy issues; terrorist, extremist, and conspiracy movements; influence operations;…

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