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Commentary

How Russia's Blunders Abroad Have Galvanized Europe

May 10, 2018

Russia overrates the efficacy of the military and underrates political and economic assets. Through this outdated prism the Kremlin sees Europe as America's weak sister. This miscalculation has led Russia repeatedly to err, as shown by decades of frustrated efforts to divide Europeans and split them from the U.S.
Report

Building a Sustainable World Order

May 3, 2018

The growing threat to the rules-based postwar order is a defining feature of current discussions about world politics. A two-year project explored the existing international order, assessed the challenges facing it, and recommended policies to advance U.S. interests.

Explore Politics and Government

Commentary

Sino-Japan Rapprochement Will Likely Fail

Recent meetings and otherwise relative calm between China and Japan may give the impression that their ties are improving. But because of their strategic competition and fundamental differences, it is more likely than not that their current rapprochement will fail.

Dec 7, 2018
Commentary

Is Japan's New Defense Plan Ambitious Enough?

Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan has significantly increased capabilities to meet increasing regional security challenges. But Tokyo may need to do more to manage the complex security environment surrounding Japan.

Dec 6, 2018
Commentary

Suppressing Motivation, Legitimacy Can Help Avoid Political Violence

The threat of political violence is real and growing, but there are concrete things that can be done to reduce the risks. Solutions might include repeated statements from leaders that fear of people because of their ethnicity, religion, party, or social grouping is wrong and that violence against them is illegitimate and against American values.

Nov 28, 2018
Testimony

Russia’s and China’s Evolving Roles in the Arctic

Two changes have altered the geopolitical environment in the Arctic over the past five to ten years. Russia continues to increase its assertiveness in the region. And non-Arctic states, including China, have begun to play a larger role. What new challenges and opportunities do these developments pose to Canada and other Arctic states?

Nov 26, 2018
Testimony

Climate, Geopolitics, and Change in the Arctic

Climate change is increasing worldwide interest in the Arctic, where the physical impacts of the change are being felt sooner and more intensely than in other regions. But climate is just one of many key factors that will influence the Arctic's geopolitical future.

Nov 26, 2018
Commentary

Could America Use Its Leverage to Alter the Saudis' Behavior?

As the Saudis' chief political and military partner and the undisputed security guarantor in the Middle East, the United States has considerable influence it can wield over Saudi decisionmaking. The Trump administration could consider using its influence to encourage Saudi leadership to moderate its assertive and damaging policies abroad.

Nov 15, 2018
Blog

Reflecting on the Past to Counter Future Terrorism

One Night with RAND brought together leaders in business, government, academia, and philanthropy to pay tribute to Brian Michael Jenkins and mark his 50-year affiliation with RAND and his substantial body of research on terrorism. Jenkins and other experts discussed the evolution of terrorism and strategies for countering it in the future.

Nov 14, 2018
Commentary

What Does America's Political Polarization Mean for Competition with China?

Political polarization in the United States potentially carries significant implications for America's strategic competition with China. Leaders in Washington will need to work to mitigate the effects of polarization and manage competition with China in a stable, effective manner.

Nov 9, 2018
Report

Report

Overcoming Challenges Arising from the Creation of National Security Councils: A Framework and Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa

This report for the Malian government explores the challenges in setting up a national security council. The author creates a theoretical framework for effectiveness, applies it to case studies, and presents suggestions for overcoming challenges.

Nov 5, 2018
News Release

News Release

A Study of Potential Paths to Korean Unification Recommends Avoiding Approaches Involving Armed Conflict

An examination of nine potential paths to Korean unification recommends actions that the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) and the United States can take to set the conditions for stable reunification, should the opportunity arise.

Oct 31, 2018
Report

Alternative Paths to Korean Unification

There are many ways in which Korean unification could occur or be attempted, and each holds vast uncertainties. What actions could South Korea and the United States take to set the conditions for stable reunification?

Oct 31, 2018
Commentary

Merkel's Departure: A Star Begins to Dim

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to not seek re-election may signal an end to two key features of post-WWII Europe.

Oct 31, 2018
Commentary

Is Major Realignment Taking Place in the Middle East?

The shifting alignments in the Middle East have intensified since the murder of the Saudi journalist Khashoggi in Istanbul. Turkey has drifted away from NATO and toward Iran and Russia. Like Tehran and Moscow, Ankara is now more anti-Western than at any point in recent memory. What does this mean for the United States?

Oct 31, 2018
Commentary

Japan's Chance to Shine?

Japan may never be a global leader in a way comparable to the United States. But Tokyo does have the power to provide leadership that will sustain key elements of the crumbling international order.

Oct 30, 2018
Commentary

Cameroon's Days as Reliable U.S. Partner May Be Numbered

The Cameroonian government is becoming more authoritarian under President Paul Biya. His re-election could be bad news for Cameroon and the region, but also for the United States.

Oct 26, 2018
Report

What if Palestinians Start Voting in Jerusalem City Elections?

Since 1967, most Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have boycotted municipal elections to avoid legitimating Israeli rule. But recent polls suggest that some might be warming to the idea of voting. A game with Israeli and Palestinian policy experts examined possible consequences of the boycott ending.

Oct 25, 2018
Commentary

New Pakistan, Old Challenges

While the United States has been voicing concerns about the destabilizing potential of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan needs the economic stability that initiative could bring. As long as Pakistan remains a poor country, its democracy will be at risk.

Oct 17, 2018
Commentary

America's Indefinite Endgame in Syria

The Trump administration's position on the Syrian civil war has shifted from countering ISIS to containing Iran. America will remain in Syria as long as Iran does. But an unending timetable for the withdrawal of troops is far more problematic for Washington than it is for Tehran.

Oct 16, 2018
Project

British People Prefer a Soft Brexit, If Any

The political landscape of the UK has changed dramatically in the wake of the Brexit referendum. Since last year, support for a deal based on membership of the European Economic Area has increased from 38 to 43 percent. Even Leave voters are shifting to a softer Brexit.

Oct 11, 2018
News Release

Support for EEA-Style Brexit Has Increased

Support for a Brexit deal based on membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) has increased. EEA membership is now supported by 43 per cent of Britons, up from 38 per cent in 2017, making it the most popular Brexit option.

Oct 11, 2018

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