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West Africa

Commentary

Mali Violence Shows Limits of Intervention

Each year brings more violence to Mali and its neighbors. Mali and Burkina Faso are rapidly destabilizing; the situation in Niger is less dire, but that is hardly a commendation. Why is the violence in Mali getting worse given the significant efforts by the international community to stem it?

Nov 22, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Disaster Risk Reduction Is Not 'Everyone's Business': Evidence from Three Countries

The author examines disaster risk reduction (DRR) by answering the following questions: Who are the main types of actors involved in DRR in different countries, how do they work together, and how much variation is there between countries?

Nov 5, 2019
Dissertation

Three Essays on Health Financing in Sub-Saharan Africa: Health Shocks, Health Insurance Uptake, and Financial Risk Protection

Series of three essays on health financing in Sub-Saharan Africa using quantitative and comparative case study methods.

Apr 12, 2019
Report

Report

An evaluation of Dance4Life's social franchising and empowerment models

Dance4Life, an international NGO working with young people on health and promotion of safe sexual choices, asked RAND Europe to conduct a process evaluation of the NGO's new implementation and social franchising pilots.

Nov 20, 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
Journal Article

Journal Article

Health Care at Birth and Infant Mortality: Evidence from Nighttime Deliveries in Nigeria

Ensuring that Nigerian women giving birth have access to health facilities will likely reduce infant mortality.

Dec 29, 2017
Dissertation

Labor Market Outcomes of Youth and Women in Newly Industrialized and Developing Countries

This dissertation examines the effects of exogenous shocks and labor market policies on employment, wages, and human capital development of youth and women.

Dec 4, 2017
Commentary

Mali Is France's Afghanistan, but with a Difference

At first glance the comparison between the French military operations in Mali and America’s involvement in Afghanistan is compelling, and in some important ways, accurate. It also presents some fundamental differences that give reason for optimism in France.

Dec 1, 2017
Commentary

Why Africa Could Provide an 'ISIS Renaissance'

ISIS has been one of the most formidable and well-organized terrorist groups in history and it would be naive to assume that ISIS will simply cease operations in the face of recent losses. More likely, the group, along with its many followers, will attempt to disperse to a new base, and parts of Africa are likely targets for a new caliphate.

Nov 15, 2017
Commentary

What Is the Sahel G5 Force and Why Should the U.S. Support It?

The French Joint Force G-5 Sahel plan offers the possibility of strengthening the Sahel nations' efforts to combat terrorism. Supporting the French initiative is a worthy undertaking, provided, of course, that everyone understands what it is and is not.

Nov 6, 2017
Commentary

The Real Questions We Should Be Asking About Niger

In the wake of the deaths of four U.S. servicemen in Niger, Americans are embroiled in a pointless political squabble. The focus should be on developing a greater understanding of the risks and benefits of U.S. counterterrorism operations abroad.

Oct 30, 2017
Commentary

U.S. Helping Niger Halt Spread of Terror in Region

Niger is at the epicenter of the war on terror, with local and regional violent groups based there and entering the country from nearly every side. U.S. troops are there to train Niger's security services — not to fight. They are also assisting French forces who are fighting there.

Oct 25, 2017
Report

Armies Have a Role to Play in Nation Building

Events in Iraq and Mali have raised questions about the value of Security Force Assistance and U.S. capacity to strengthen client states' militaries in the face of insurgencies or other threats. History shows that SFA programs could be improved if they focused more on ideology and how an army complements a host country's larger nation-building efforts.

Oct 24, 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
Commentary

The U.S.-France Dustup Over Counterterrorism in the Sahel

It's time for Paris and Washington to get together with the G5 nations of the Sahel and draft a strategy for achieving shared objectives. The French cannot do it alone or even with the support of the G5 nations. The U.S. would be penny wise but pound foolish to stay aloof or even just uphold the status quo.

Jun 23, 2017
News Release

News Release

Islamic State Control of People Down 83% in Iraq and 56% in Syria from Peak Levels

The Islamic State has lost substantial control of territory and people but still conducts and inspires attacks around the world. The U.S. should pursue a light rollback strategy that relies on local forces backed by U.S. special operations forces, intelligence assets, and airpower.

Apr 20, 2017
Report

Rolling Back the Islamic State

The Islamic State has lost substantial control of territory and people. But the group still conducts and inspires attacks around the world. The United States should pursue a light rollback strategy that relies on local forces backed by U.S. special operations troops, intelligence assets, and airpower.

Apr 20, 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
Journal Article

Journal Article

Persistent Barriers to Care: A Qualitative Study to Understand Women's Experiences in Areas Served by the Midwives Service Scheme in Nigeria

The Nigerian Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) is an ambitious human resources project created in 2009 to address supply side barriers to accessing care.

Mar 15, 2017
Commentary

What Mali Really Needs

Mali needs more international engagement, as well as serious pressure on the Malian state to strengthen its hold on the country. The key will be helping beyond just security force assistance and conventional economic development aid; Mali needs help governing.

Jan 23, 2017

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RAND Topic:
West Africa

Topic Synonyms:
Western Africa

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