July 2013

commentary

Remembering What Mali Needs

Free and fair elections are important, to be sure, but what Mali really needs is a leader who is dedicated to democracy, unity and reform of Mali's politics and institutions, write Stephanie Pezard and Michael Shurkin.

Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard, Michael Shurkin

commentary

Leave Hezbollah Alone!

If Hezbollah's participation in the Syrian civil war begins to clearly tip the balance in favor of the Assad regime, the U.S. could face pressure to adjust its position and support efforts to minimize Hezbollah's position in Lebanon.

Julie E. Taylor

blog

A Public-Private Model for Funding Space Missions

The future of manned space flight, including missions to Mars and other deep space destinations, will likely depend on the combined resources of governments and commercial enterprises, say Dave Baiocchi and William Welser.

commentary

America's Russia Policy Makes Sense

Are U.S. officials deluded about the prospects for cooperation with a country that is fundamentally determined to undermine its goals? No, writes Olga Oliker. In fact, they are pursuing a rational approach towards a state that shares U.S. interests in some key areas, even as it fundamentally disagrees in others.

Olga Oliker

commentary

The Enduring Mirage of the Arab Spring

U.S. policy should not be hamstrung by a narrow focus on democratization, writes Seth G. Jones. More than ever, the United States and its allies should think first about protecting their vital strategic interests in Egypt and the region.

Seth G. Jones

commentary

By Land and by Sea

There are good reasons for the United States to rethink how it counterbalances Iran, reassures local allies, and projects power with fewer resources. However, tying down large numbers of fighter aircraft in the Gulf is likely only to exacerbate old problems and create new ones.

Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Evan Braden Montgomery

commentary

The Biggest Loser of Cairo's Coup: Turkey

The military coup deposing Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, has sparked an important shift in the regional balance of power in the Middle East. Morsi's ouster deals a strong blow to the Turkey-Qatar-Egypt “pro-change” axis and to Turkey's hopes of playing a larger role in the region.

F. Stephen Larrabee

blog

Transforming Schools by Developing 21st-Century Skills

If students are to learn the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow's competitive world, educators may need to rethink yesterday's teaching practices. That's the rationale behind teaching 21st century skills, which include high-order abilities like teamwork and critical thinking.

blog

In Egypt, Polarization Stands in the Way of Stability

The establishment of a stable government in Egypt is an elusive goal that depends on finding ways to reduce seemingly intractable levels of political polarization, says Jeffrey Martini. There is little cause for optimism that polarization will diminish any time soon.

commentary

Under Pressure: How Europe Manages Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

During an economic downturn, employers are unlikely to put the mental health of their workers at the top of the agenda. But it is precisely in these circumstances that employers cannot afford to ignore the mental well-being of employees.

Christian Van Stolk

commentary

Health Care Spending: What's in Store?

Resolving the question of whether or not the U.S. has finally gotten a handle on health care spending is vitally important, because the choices we make going forward will have profound implications for our economy, the financial wellbeing of millions of American families, and ultimately America's standing in the world.

Arthur L. Kellermann

commentary

The Value of Perspective, in Dollars and Cents

RAND's president and CEO discusses how rigorous and objective analysis can inform government organizations responsible for U.S. national security as they address today's budget realities.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

commentary

Border Security Is Key to Immigration Reform

Two important aspects of border security bear continued attention: strategy must be developed as one part of a holistic system of immigration management and any progress on improving this system is reliant on having concrete and sensible objectives and measures of success.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, K. Jack Riley

announcement

Erik Nemeth Appears on History Channel's 'America's Book of Secrets: Lost Treasures'

In an episode of the History Channel's America's Book of Secrets, Erik Nemeth discusses the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist of 1990 and the broader implications of art crime for national security.

commentary

The Cost of Higher Education: The Big Picture

According to Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan, tuition is becoming less affordable because institutions are not performance-oriented and thus do not use their funding wisely. But would a more efficient system really bring measurable reductions in tuition costs?

Rafiq Dossani