September 2016

commentary
Book Review: 'Bourgeois Equality'
In Bourgeois Equality, economist and historian Deirdre McCloskey advances the theory that ideas — not capital, institutions, innovation, R&D, tax policy, monetary policy, or regulatory policy — are the propelling force behind economic and societal growth.
Read More »
Sep 30, 2016
The Weekly Standard
Charles Wolf, Jr.

Russia

q&a
Russia's Determination to Revise the Post-Cold War Order
As long as political will for military measures to contain and deter Russian aggression remains limited, sustaining sanctions against Russia remains the only option to deal with a nation that is determined to revise the post-Cold War political and economic settlement in Europe in its favor.
Read More »
Sep 30, 2016
The Cipher Brief
Christopher S. Chivvis
Iran

commentary
Whoever Wins the Presidency, the Next Big International Crisis Will Come from Iran
The next U.S. president is likely to meet many international crises after taking office, and Iran may be one of the most challenging. The continuing climate of repression, the next Iranian presidential election, and Khamenei's eventual demise may provide some important opportunities for him or her.
Read More »
Sep 29, 2016
Fox News Channel
Alireza Nader
Cybercrime

commentary
The DNC Hack: Are New Norms Needed?
A new norm that would hold the Russian DNC hack to be unacceptable could not rest on a general prohibition against cyber-espionage or political interference. It would have to combine both prohibitions at once.
Read More »
Sep 29, 2016
FedScoop
Martin C. Libicki
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

commentary
Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries
Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.
Read More »
Sep 29, 2016
George W. Bush Institute
Terri Tanielian
Chemical Terrorism

commentary
Keep Chemical Weapons Out of Terrorist Hands
As the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front seized territory in Syria and northern Iraq, they came upon military sites with chemical munitions and industrial facilities with toxic chemicals. Reducing such opportunities should be a priority.
Read More »
Sep 27, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
John V. Parachini @JohnParachini
Autonomous Vehicles

commentary
The Brains Behind Autonomous Vehicles May Need a License to Drive
Autonomous vehicles require exquisite software. To make this software secure, industry and government should consider educational standards and licensure requirements for the engineers who create it.
Read More »
Sep 27, 2016
VentureBeat
Isaac R. Porche III
commentary
Free School Meals Are Still the Best Measure of Deprivation
Free school meal eligibility is not a perfect measure of student disadvantage, but it's the best there is. Other measures, such as parental education or neighborhood deprivation have also been used, but they are not as good at determining which schools are most in need.
Read More »
Sep 26, 2016
Schools Week
Alex Sutherland
Counterterrorism

commentary
U.S. More Able Than Ever to Combat Terrorism
Acts of pure terrorism are truly arbitrary and extremely difficult to protect against, but they are rare. Improved domestic counterterrorist efforts have uncovered and interrupted close to 90 percent of jihadist terrorist plots in the U.S. since 9/11.
Read More »
Sep 26, 2016
Boston Herald
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Autonomous Vehicles

commentary
When Will We Know Self-Driving Cars Are Safe?
Will autonomous vehicles be safe before they are allowed on the road for consumer use? Maybe. And that might be the best that can be said.
Read More »
Sep 25, 2016
Newsweek
Nidhi Kalra
Syria

commentary
Time to Bury Plans for Counterterrorism Cooperation with Russia in Syria
As two recent botched airstrikes indicate, U.S. counterterrorism cooperation with Russia is just too risky and probably wasn't feasible in the first place. There is too little faith between the two countries for meaningful cooperation in this area.
Read More »
Sep 23, 2016
The National Interest
Christopher S. Chivvis
China

commentary
People's Liberation Army Reforms and Their Ramifications
The newest round of reforms to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is expected to improve the military's efficiency, warfighting capability, and political loyalty, but entrenched interests within the PLA could lead to reluctance within the military to adjust to new realities.
Read More »
Sep 23, 2016
Defense Dossier
Cristina L. Garafola @CLGarafola
Security Cooperation

commentary
Economic Benefits of U.S. Overseas Security Commitments Appear to Outweigh Costs
U.S. policymakers should carefully weigh the potential losses against the potential gains when considering the desirability of large-scale retrenchments of U.S. overseas security commitments.
Read More »
Sep 23, 2016
The RAND Blog
Daniel Egel, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Security Cooperation

commentary
On Northeast Asia
China has been a major proponent of regional security for Northeast Asia but appears disinterested in Republic of Korea (ROK) security against North Korean missile and nuclear weapon threats.
Read More »
Sep 23, 2016
The Korea Times
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Health Insurance Cost Sharing

q&a
Estimating the Impacts of the Trump and Clinton Health Plans
Donald Trump wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Hillary Clinton wants to maintain and modify it. How could each proposal impact coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and the deficit?
Read More »
Sep 23, 2016
International Diplomacy

commentary
A Bumpy Road Ahead for China-Taiwan Relations
Taiwanese President Tsai has issued numerous political overtures to Beijing, yet Chinese President Xi has demonstrated a clear reluctance to accept her as a credible partner. Instead, he has turned up the heat on Tsai in an attempt to undermine her administration.
Read More »
Sep 22, 2016
Defense Dossier
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman