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United Nations

The United Nations plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of international security, humanitarian laws, and social progress. RAND has examined the efficacy and effectiveness of the United Nations in such areas as nation-building, peacekeeping, and stability operations.

Report
Testing the Value of the Postwar International Order
The postwar order offers significant value to U.S. interests and objectives and is worth the investment. It represents a leading U.S. competitive advantage. At a time of growing rivalry, nationalism, and uncertainty, a functioning multilateral order will be essential.
Jan 8, 2018
Commentary
The Multilateral Order Makes America Stronger
Skeptics have suggested that U.S. interests and support for the international community are somehow mutually exclusive. In fact, international institutions, rules, and norms have mostly worked in the U.S. interest, not against it. The Trump administration has an opportunity to build on that record with a strong agenda of reform and support.
Sep 26, 2017
Commentary
Sahel Governments Need More Security Assistance
Developments in the Sahel are cause for alarm. Despite the presence of an active French counterterrorism force and a UN peacekeeping mission, al Qaeda groups are thriving. The region would benefit from approaches that combine police and military operations with economic development and improved governance.
Sep 14, 2017
Report
Measuring the Health of the International Order
The liberal international order that has been in place since 1945 is relatively stable. But the order is threatened by geopolitical and domestic socioeconomic trends that call into question its assumptions. U.S. support and engagement over the coming decade will be essential.
Sep 5, 2017
News Release
Russia Perceives U.S.-Led International Order as a Threat to Its Security and Interests, but Also Seeks Cooperation
Russia sees the international order as dominated by the United States and as a threat to its interests. While U.S. and Russian interests overlap and cooperation is feasible in some areas like counterterrorism, others conflict, such as U.S. support for liberal democracy and the expansion of NATO. What are U.S. policy options?
May 18, 2017
Report
How Does Russia View the International Order?
Russia sees the U.S.-led international order as a threat to its interests. U.S. and Russian interests overlap in some areas, such as counterterrorism. But they are directly opposed in others. What are America's policy options?
May 18, 2017
Commentary
Regional Action Needed to Prevent Syrian Chemical Attacks
Action must be taken to deter future use of chemical weapons. Regional leaders could call for the International Criminal Court to indict Assad for war crimes. Also, borders with Syria could be sealed to prevent any of the remaining stocks from leaving the country.
May 8, 2017
Report
How to Address Mali's Terrorist Problem
The terrorist threat in Mali is growing, but the country's military remains largely ineffective. Mali can't handle the threat without outside help. How can the United States engage Mali and other partners to help foster greater security and stability?
Apr 20, 2017
Commentary
U.N. Peacekeeping Is a Good Deal for the U.S.
Why should America spend taxpayer dollars on foreign peacekeepers when it could use the money to increase the capabilities of its own military? It turns out that U.N. peacekeepers are an incredibly good deal when compared to U.S. forces.
Apr 2, 2017
Commentary
Holding Assad Accountable for Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
With two no votes from China and Russia, the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution punishing Syrian officials for their roles in chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015. Leadership from the United States on this issue could show allies that despite a change in government, the U.S. remains committed to holding those who use chemical weapons accountable.
Mar 22, 2017
Commentary
Mali's Persistent Jihadist Problem
The 2013 French intervention in Mali averted an al Qaeda-backed thrust toward the capital of Bamako and reduced the threat from other jihadist groups. To ensure that a new threat does not materialize, France will need staying power and support from its allies.
Jan 12, 2017
Report
Towards a Universal Arms Trade Treaty: Understanding barriers and challenges in South-East Asia
This report aims to support universalisation of the Arms Trade Treaty by identifying barriers and obstacles to its ratification and by generating a set of proposals to overcome these barriers at the national, regional or international level.
Oct 26, 2016
Commentary
Tracing Firearms and Ammunition
The marking of firearms and ammunition supports effective tracing by enabling identification and efficient record keeping. But currently there are no mandatory, globally accepted standards that regulate firearms marking.
Sep 9, 2016
Commentary
Will the New President Risk the Stability of the World?
America's next leader will confront one of the most profound tasks of any post-war U.S. president: reimagining a threatened international order. Mishandled, the challenge could throw world politics into a tailspin. Done right, it could help keep the peace for another half-century.
Jun 1, 2016
Commentary
A Different Kind of Refugee Crisis
In Jordan and Lebanon, middle-income countries with robust public sectors where a significant Syrian population may be present for years to come, solutions should be more about supporting the expansion of existing national public services, rather than creating new, internationally run parallel services.
May 16, 2016
Report
Rethinking Coordination of Services to Refugees in Urban Areas
The vast majority of Syrian refugees live in urban areas, not camps. What can be done to improve the coordination of international and national entities managing the refugee response in urban areas in Jordan and Lebanon?
Apr 27, 2016
Commentary
Tracking Refugees with Biometrics: More Questions Than Answers
Using biometrics in refugee crises is compelling because it gives individuals who have nothing proof of identity even without a government-issued credential like an ID card or passport. But who has rights to the U.N. biometrics database and what is its future?
Mar 9, 2016
Commentary
Russia on the Horns of a Nuclear Dilemma
While the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is a human tragedy, broader concerns about the lowering of WMD norms and violations of international law should be addressed. The use of radioactive matter to kill him represents a serious breach of international agreements.
Feb 19, 2016
Multimedia
Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization
In this February 2016 congressional briefing, senior political scientist Barbara H. Sude discusses historical examples of radicalization among refugee groups, factors that can increase the risk of radicalization, measures to reduce the risk, and considerations for policymakers and legislators.
Feb 16, 2016
Commentary
Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization: Lessons from the Past
Radicalization among refugee populations, such as the millions currently fleeing Syria, is not inevitable. Rather, comprehensive policies that go beyond immediate life-saving needs can mitigate the risk. But such policies were rare in past crises and even today can be difficult to put in place and sustain.
Dec 28, 2015

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RAND Topic:
United Nations

Topic Synonyms:
U.N.;
UN

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