July 2017

Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

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While Americans Fight the Taliban, Putin Is Making Headway in Afghanistan
The Russians are ramping up political, economic, and propaganda activities to improve their image and reestablish their influence amid pervasive corruption that is impeding progress in Afghanistan.
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Jul 31, 2017
Newsweek
Arturo Munoz

Military Personnel Retention

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Military Power Is All About People: A Return to Personnel Policy
Ensuring the strength of U.S. armed forces is critical to U.S. national security and the key source of strength is its people. True investment in personnel is a long-term legacy and an investment worthy of attention and policy debate to ensure the United States continues to recruit and retain the most effective fighting force in the world.
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Jul 27, 2017
War on the Rocks
Radha Iyengar Plumb, Brad R. Carson, et al.
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Extending Marketplace Tax Credits Would Make Coverage More Affordable for Middle-Income Adults
Paying for health care coverage is a challenge for Americans facing rising premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The ACA's tax credits that make marketplace insurance more affordable for lower-income individuals should be extended to middle-income adults aged 50–64.
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Jul 27, 2017
The Commonwealth Fund Blog
Jodi L. Liu @jodilliu, Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner
Firearms

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Connect, Buy-Now, Fire: How the Dark Web Allows Criminals to Buy Weapons—Anonymously
Despite its small size compared to the offline market, the ability of the dark web to anonymously arm individuals of all backgrounds needs to be taken seriously. Its potential impact on international security is significant.
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Jul 25, 2017
Prospect Magazine
Giacomo Persi Paoli
Terrorism Financing

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ISIS Is So Desperate It's Turning to the Drug Trade
As the Islamic State loses territory, it is forced to seek new revenue streams to exploit, including drug trafficking. Proceeds garnered from peddling narcotics affords jihadis in Europe the financial flexibility to travel to Syria, to fund attacks, and to pay for their return trips home.
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Jul 25, 2017
Fortune
Colin P. Clarke
International Organizations

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China Will Regret India's Entry Into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Russia first proposed India as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization likely in part to complement bilateral economic and security engagement, but mainly to constrain China's growing influence in the organization.
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Jul 24, 2017
The Diplomat
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Public Utilities

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Getting (Solar) Electricity Pricing Right
Demand for rooftop solar panels is soaring among U.S. homeowners. Meanwhile, states are struggling to adapt a 20th-century electrical grid—and the corresponding cost structure for electricity rates—to this 21st-century reality. This is causing confusion and uncertainty.
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Jul 24, 2017
The Energy Collective
Nicholas E. Burger, Aimee E. Curtright @ACurtright, et al.
Afghanistan

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A Peace 'Surge' to End War in Afghanistan
President Trump has no easy options in Afghanistan. A surge of U.S. commitment to negotiating a political settlement would not remove all the obstacles, but it is a prerequisite.
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Jul 24, 2017
New York Times
Laurel E. Miller
Cyber Warfare

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Russian Information Warfare: A Reality That Needs a Response
For the last three decades, Russia has exploited its growing capabilities in cyberspace to spy on, influence, and punish others. The West will continue to struggle to hold Moscow accountable, in part because international law falls far short of fully defining the rules or resolving conflicts.
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Jul 21, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Bruce McClintock @BHMcClintock
Drug Courts

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Should California Drop Criminal Penalties for Drug Possession?
Californians have a lot to consider when it comes to decriminalizing possession. But now is the time for a rigorous discussion about removing criminal penalties for drug possession, rather than rushing to judgment in the heat of a future election season.
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Jul 20, 2017
San Francisco Chronicle
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer, Robert J. MacCoun
Underage Substance Use Prevention

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Anti-Drug Education: Time for a New Bumper Sticker
Effective drug prevention in America could start by helping school districts adopt programs that work. These evidence-based programs can teach children to make wise and responsible decisions about drugs, and they won't break the bank.
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Jul 20, 2017
Fortune
Matthew Chinman
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

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Moving Beyond Mosul
The Islamic State group has been defeated in Mosul. But this military routing isn't enough to ensure lasting stability, either in Mosul or in Iraq more broadly. What comes next will require careful planning, diplomacy, implementation, and coordination.
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Jul 18, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Linda Robinson, Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Violent Crime

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A Colombian Survivor's Crusade to Strengthen Punishment for Acid Attacks
Acid attacks, one of the most extreme forms of violence against women and girls, can have devastating consequences. Officials could address this problem by making it tough to get dangerous chemicals, punishing perpetrators, and helping survivors.
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Jul 17, 2017
The RAND Blog
Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik
Ballistic Missiles

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A Surgical Strike Against North Korea? Not a Viable Option
North Korea's July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that could hit American soil has renewed talk of military intervention. But an effective limited military strike with minimal collateral damage and no escalation simply won't work.
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Jul 14, 2017
Fox News Channel
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
International Economic Relations

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Brexit: So Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want
The 'In/Out' referendum question encouraged the view that Brexit was a binary choice. But how did people understand these two options and their implications? The results of stated preference discrete choice experiments hold the answer.
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Jul 14, 2017
E!Sharp
Jonathan Grant, Charlene Rohr, et al.
International Economic Relations

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Finding the Common Ground: Building a Brexit Around Trade and Single Market Access
The priority for the UK government during Brexit negotiations should be access to the single market and free trade deals with countries outside the EU. This would build on the common ground felt by the majority of Britons about what they feel are the most valuable aspects of the UK's future relationship with Europe.
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Jul 14, 2017
UK in a Changing Europe
Charlene Rohr, Jonathan Grant, et al.