May 2014

commentary

Is There a Hidden Message in the Taliban's 2014 Fighting Season Plan?

The Taliban announced 'Khaibar,' their plan for the operations they will be conducting this spring and summer. The reference to Khaibar — a conventional battle in which noncombatants were left unharmed — might actually hint at a strategy aimed at post-conflict reconciliation.

Jonah Blank

commentary

Women Writing War: A List of Essential Contemporary War Literature by Women

Women veterans are telling their stories, adding to the tales of war and homecoming that men have been recording from the Odyssey and Iliad on. Their diverse voices can deepen our understanding of who volunteers to serve in today's military and what they experience.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

commentary

Dutch and UK Adolescents See More Alcohol Advertising on TV Than Adults

Adolescents in the UK and the Netherlands (but not in Germany) see more alcohol adverts on television, per hour of television watched, than adults. These differences result from the different viewing times, channels watched, and the placement of adverts.

Eleanor Winpenny

commentary

One Military Caregiver's Story

America shouldn't forget the sacrifices of those who care for the wounded. Rachel O'Hern tells the story of her life as a military caregiver, one of millions of spouses, family members, and friends who support service members and veterans with physical or emotional injuries or illnesses.

Rachel O'Hern, Terri Tanielian

commentary

Are We Entering a New Era of Cannabis Regulation?

Although international drug treaties prohibit the production, distribution, and possession of cannabis for non-medical and non-scientific purposes, several jurisdictions have implemented new laws and policies, including some that remove criminal penalties for possession of small doses of cannabis.

Kristy Kruithof, Mafalda Pardal @PardalMafalda

commentary

A Liberated Yuan Is Likely to Fall

Some critics claim that the People's Bank of China is contriving to weaken the yuan's value to promote Chinese exports and stimulate the country's lagging growth. But the yuan's true value may be lower than some popular estimates.

Charles Wolf, Jr.

commentary

How 'Wired' Are the 2014 European Elections?

The 2014 elections will prove a critical test of whether the modernisation of the EU's media strategies and increasing number of members of the European Parliament active on social networking sites will have an impact on citizens' political participation at the European level.

Minke van der Sar, Veronika Horvath

commentary

The European Democracy Paradox

While social media and other tools have enhanced opportunities to participate in the political process, these new drivers do not seem to translate easily into offline political participation.

Marlon Graf

blog

Despite Withdrawal, Russian Invasion of Eastern Ukraine Still Possible

Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer to avoid further military action, but movement of Russian troops into eastern Ukraine is still possible if Putin is unable to extend his influence and prevent the country from aligning with the European Union.

commentary

Climate Change, Uncertainty Cast Clouds on Malawi's Food Policies

Malawi has the highest per capita maize consumption in Africa, but it may need to consider alternatives, taking into greater consideration weather, climate change and water needs.

Tobi A. Oluwatola

commentary

A Milder Modi?

Narendra Modi, India's most polarizing political figure in a generation, will become prime minister with a virtually unchecked mandate.

Jonah Blank

commentary

Let's Regulate Food Like We Do Alcohol

To help people avoid overeating, the kinds of policies effective in controlling alcohol consumption should be applied to food — standardizing portion sizes, limiting impulse marketing and reducing the convenience and salience of foods most closely associated with obesity and chronic diseases.

Deborah A. Cohen

commentary

Nigeria's Inescapable Burden

The historical record suggests that when many hostages are involved, rescues are bloody affairs. Early RAND research on hostage situations showed that of all the ways hostages may be killed—during the initial abduction, trying to escape, murdered by their captors or during the rescue—79 percent died during the rescue.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

blog

Amb. Robert D. Hormats Named Chair of CAPP Advisory Board

Ambassador Robert D. Hormats has been named the chairman of the advisory board for the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy. He is currently vice chairman of Kissinger Associates Inc.

commentary

Rethinking U.S. Force Planning

While the renewed interest in crisis response forces by the military services is welcome in these times of uncertainty, forces that are permanently assigned to a geographic combatant command and based in a region continue to offer distinct benefits. RAND research has shown that an overseas presence enhances contingency responsiveness in most cases.

Jonathan P. Wong @jonpwong, Christopher G. Pernin