Skip to section navigation
Skip to page content

RAND > Topics >

Rights of Civilians

Project

Understanding the Moral Dimension of Conflict

Cyber and autonomous capabilities challenge the core principles of morality frameworks in a number of ways. While a prominent question in the public debate is whether morality can be reduced to an algorithm, the body of academic work on the subject is more nuanced.

Oct 24, 2016
Report

Report

The moral component of cross-domain conflict

The study considers the body of work on morality and armed conflict in the future operating environment and provides insights on the ways in which new ways of fighting may challenge traditional moral principles.

Oct 20, 2016
Report

Clarifying the Rules for Using Drones in Targeted Killing

U.S. international legal policies involving the use of drones in targeted killing need more clarity, specificity, and consistency. Policymakers must define an approach that protects civilians and human rights, while allowing latitude to fight terrorism.

Sep 8, 2016
News Release

News Release

U.S. Rules for Targeted Killing Using Drones Need Clarifying

Current U.S. policies on using drones for targeted killing are characterized by ambiguities in interpretations of international law and too many generalities, despite recent efforts by the Obama administration to clarify the policies.

Sep 8, 2016
Report

Report

The Continued Evolution of U.S. Law of Armed Conflict Implementation: Implications for the U.S. Military

RAND researchers examine potential strategic, technological, and normative trends that may affect the future evolution of U.S. policies that implement the Law of Armed Conflict, and assess the resulting implications for the U.S. military.

Nov 9, 2015
Commentary

The U.S. Military: Between a Rock and a Repulsive Place

There is a reasonable argument that the best route to address pedophilia and other human rights violations by Afghan forces is to remain engaged, and to make U.S. support conditioned upon remediation and accountability, as the Leahy law requires.

Sep 29, 2015
Commentary

Why the Senate Intelligence Committee and the CIA May Both Be Right

Given that many questions of fact regarding the CIA's program of enhanced interrogation techniques can probably never be conclusively answered, the real issue comes down to a value judgment: whether inflicting physical pain on prisoners is an acceptable means of reducing the risk of terrorist attacks.

Dec 12, 2014
Commentary

The Future of Blackwater and Other Guns for Hire

The story of how private military security companies came to play a pivotal role in wartime operations is an important one, and Ann Hagedorn, a former reporter for the Journal, was right to take it on.

Oct 28, 2014
Commentary

What Pussy Riot Teaches Us

The global attention drawn by Pussy Riot shows what is possible in an interconnected world, writes Olga Oliker. Opposition movements in Russia and elsewhere may take note and think about how to better harness such possibilities in the future.

Aug 20, 2012
Testimony

Testimony

Iran's Human Rights Abuses

Testimony presented before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on The Middle East and South Asia, provides insight into the Islamic Republic of Iran's human rights abuses, the Iranian regime's behavior in light of the Arab Spring, and the current state and future prospects of the opposition Green Movement.

Sep 22, 2011
Report

Report

U.S. Prisoner of War, Detainee Operations Need More Advance Planning

Prisoner-of-war and detainee operations are a crucial component in the successful prosecution of a conflict — particularly in counterinsurgency operations — and should be upgraded to receive more attention and better advance preparation.

Jun 9, 2011
News Release

News Release

U.S. Prisoner of War, Detainee Operations Need More Advance Planning

Prisoner-of-war and detainee operations are a crucial component in the successful prosecution of a conflict -- particularly in counterinsurgency operations -- and should be upgraded to receive more attention and better advance preparation.

Jun 9, 2011
Commentary

Commentary

The Coming Afghanistan Surge—and the Severely Wounded

As America starts its ninth year at war, more than 32,000 U.S. service members have already been wounded in action in Iraq and about 3,500 in Afghanistan. Will U.S. resolve to strengthen care for wounded Americans be maintained, asks Ralph Masi.

Jan 15, 2010
Commentary

Commentary

China's Responsibility to Protect: The Nation Can Help Citizens in Myanmar, Sudan

Of all countries remiss in their responsibility to protect human rights, China bears special scrutiny because of its influence with the Myanmar and Sudanese regimes, writes David C. Gompert.

Jun 17, 2008
News Release

News Release

RAND Report Examines Need to Hold Down Civilian Deaths in U.S. Military Operations

February 15, 2007 News Release: RAND Report Examines Need to Hold Down Civilian Deaths in U.S. Military Operations.

Feb 15, 2007
News Release

News Release

RAND Issues 'The Beginner's Guide to Nation-Building'

February 12, 2007 News Release: RAND Issues 'The Beginner's Guide to Nation-Building'.

Feb 12, 2007
News Release

News Release

RAND Evaluates Efforts to Improve Effectiveness and Human Rights Performance of Internal Security Forces in 4 Nations

January 3, 2007 News Release: RAND Evaluates Efforts to Improve Effectiveness and Human Rights Performance of Internal Security Forces in 4 Nations.

Jan 3, 2007
Commentary

Commentary

Want to Help Africa? Stop Farm Subsidies

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Jun 18, 2002
Commentary

Commentary

The Americas: Colombia's Rebels Talk Peace but Make More War

Colombia's friends, primarily the U.S., should be prepared to provide sustained and adequate support to the Colombian armed forces, not just for drug eradication, as is the case with the current policy, but to restore the capacity of the Colombian state to defend itself against forces that seek to overthrow ...

Jul 13, 2001
Content

Content

Maria Angela Buenaventura

Assistant Policy Researcher; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education J.D., Northwestern University

1
2
Next

RAND Topic:
International Humanitarian Law

Research conducted by