July 2019

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Boris Johnson, Teacher Training, Youth Arrests: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Boris Johnson's Brexit challenge, how educators feel about their training programs, a spike in youth arrests, and more.

commentary

Yes, Sam Huntington Has Insights to Guide U.S. Competition with China

Many U.S. observers believe that the United States is declining relative to China. The United States' long-term competitiveness will be served neither by assuming that China is fated to collapse on account of its internal contradictions nor by presuming that it is destined to preside over a world order with Chinese characteristics. Sustainable strategy requires a measured disposition.

Ali Wyne

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The Insurgent Counter-Insurgent: The French Army's Hero and Some Truths About Modern Warfare

When asked about their heroes, one name comes up with French Army officers more than any other: Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc. Saint Marc lived an extraordinary life, to be sure. But his story also contains important lessons about modern warfare and counter-insurgency warfare in particular, the work of training local forces, and the imperative of aligning military means with realistic political objectives.

Michael Shurkin

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How Work-Based Learning Can Bring Employers and Students Together

Work-based learning experiences help college grads better prepare for work. WBL programs often serve as a workforce pipeline for companies. WBL is also successful at the K–12 level and at

Monica Mean, Gabriella C. Gonzalez

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Allocating Costs for California Wildfires

Wildfires in California have caused and will likely continue to cause substantial losses for residents, businesses, and government agencies. It is important to distribute these losses in a manner that provides incentives to reduce their magnitude over time.

Lloyd Dixon

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A Challenging Moment for Boris Johnson

As Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson will bring advantages, and disadvantages, in seeking to lead the United Kingdom through a period as challenging as the Suez Crisis or (perhaps) the darkest days of World War II.

Charles P. Ries @charles_ries

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Cyber Threats from the U.S. and Russia Are Now Focusing on Civilian Infrastructure

For years, Russia and the United States have been targeting each other's infrastructure through cyberattacks. But the aggression and scope of these operations now seem unprecedented. What are the best options for U.S. policymakers?

Joe Cheravitch

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Sleep Deprivation Could Do Long-Term Damage to Migrant Children

The challenges faced by detained children at the U.S. southern border are immense. Sleep disruption may significantly hinder their ability to function physically and mentally. Policymakers shouldn't overlook the importance of providing appropriate sleeping conditions.

Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel, Douglas C. Ligor @DougLigor

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After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal

School shootings leave wounds that affect students, school staff, families, and communities for years. Building community resilience, implementing evidence-based mental health support early, and providing access for survivors and the community immediately and in the long term could help promote healing and prevent more tragedy.

Ariella Iancu, Lisa H. Jaycox, et al.

blog

Youth Sports, Autonomous Vehicles, Mental Health: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on why low-income children aren't playing sports, who's liable when autonomous vehicles get hacked, supporting children with mental health issues, and more.

commentary

Price-Fixing Case Reveals Vulnerability of Generic Drug Policies

A massive lawsuit filed by 44 states accuses 20 major drug makers of colluding to inflate prices on more than 100 generic drugs, including HIV, cancer, and depression treatments. If these allegations are true, then this isn't just a violation of antitrust law. It's a betrayal of the policies that created and defended the entire generic drug industry.

Andrew W. Mulcahy @AndrewWMulcahy

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Why U.S. Negotiators Face a Tough Task After the Trump-Kim DMZ Meeting

Denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea may be under time constraints tied to America's next presidential election. This further complicates the task facing U.S. negotiators, who seek to reach a deal that endures beyond 2020.

Naoko Aoki @naokoaoki

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Truth Decay, Principals, Augmented Reality: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on media literacy education as a way to fight Truth Decay, turning screen time into outdoor time, the importance of school principals, and more.

commentary

North Carolina Program Helps Former Prisoners Make It on the Outside

To avoid the all-too-common fate of ending up back in prison, incarcerated adults need skills and credentials they typically don't have. Helping them overcome the challenges of reentry is a net gain for them and for the communities to which they return.

Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis, Michelle C. Tolbert

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Augmented Reality on the Playground

As children's screen time increases, their time spent outdoors decreases. How might new technologies merge with nature to help kids get outside and be more active?

Deborah A. Cohen