November 2017

Data Science

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Blockchain: Should We Believe the Hype?
Industry, governments and academics are all speculating on the ways in which blockchain could revolutionize everything from finance to the music industry. Now is the time for policymakers and industry to take note and find out what blockchain could offer.
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Nov 30, 2017
Prospect Magazine
Salil Gunashekar, Advait Deshpande, et al.

Missile Defense

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Is Iron Dome a Poisoned Chalice? Strategic Risks from Tactical Success
While Iron Dome's past success in defending Israel makes it a tempting solution to future challenges, it does have shortcomings. This becomes even more serious when considering using the system in Korea, where the threat posed is substantially greater, and the targeted terrain substantially harder to defend.
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Nov 29, 2017
The Strategy Bridge
Elizabeth M. Bartels @elliebartels
Terrorism Threat Assessment

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All for One and One for All: Toward a Coordinated EU Approach on Returnees
To combat the threat posed by returning fighters, EU intelligence and police agencies will need to coordinate to find potential terrorists before they are able to conduct attacks in Europe. The return of dangerous foreign fighters to European soil should be motivation enough for an overarching review of each country’s vulnerabilities.
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Nov 28, 2017
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Colin P. Clarke
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

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Is the Philippines the Next Caliphate?
The Philippines is a long way from the Islamic State's birthplace in the Middle East. But the jihadis have already seized and held a city there for three months. Even if the Philippines doesn't become a major node in the Islamic State's network, it will likely remain fertile ground for supporting the group and its violent agenda.
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Nov 28, 2017
Foreign Policy
Patrick B. Johnston, Colin P. Clarke
Autonomous Vehicles

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Driverless Cars: The Race Is On for Policy to Catch Up
Driverless cars could be tested on Britain’s roads by 2021. While this is likely to be great news to many, the race is now on for policymaking to catch up. Why? Because driverless cars could substantially change more than just the way people travel.
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Nov 27, 2017
The Huffington Post
Charlene Rohr
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Environmental Impact Bonds May Not Bear Fruit for Green Investors
Investors may be willing to accept a lower return for socially responsible investments. But environmental impact bonds may not be the best way to leverage these investment possibilities.
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Nov 26, 2017
Zilient
Aaron Strong @resourceecon, Benjamin Lee Preston @bl_preston
Vietnam

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U.S. Striking Just the Right Balance with Vietnam in South China Sea
The Trump administration has seized upon positive momentum from the Obama administration to elevate U.S.-Vietnam defense cooperation to new heights.
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Nov 23, 2017
The Diplomat
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Poverty

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Fighting Poverty with Taxes
As the debate over tax reform continues, finding ways to help the most disadvantaged segment of the population should be considered. Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and outreach to low-income populations could increase incentive to file or promote awareness about benefits and generate positive impacts in the longer term.
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Nov 22, 2017
Council on Economic Policies
Patricia K. Tong
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Does the Annual Growth Survey Actually Make a Difference to EU Member States?
Much of the European Union (EU) budget follows Annual Growth Survey (AGS) priorities, but member states' budgets do not necessarily follow the country-specific recommendations. Doing so and addressing wider concerns about the AGS could help the EU and member states identify the benefits of the AGS.
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Nov 21, 2017
E!Sharp
Jirka Taylor, Marco Hafner
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Discipline Disparities and Discrimination in Schools
In the United States, black and poor students are suspended at much higher rates than their white and non-poor peers. While the existence of these disparities is not controversial, how to interpret the disparities is bitterly disputed.
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Nov 21, 2017
Brookings Institution's Brown Center Chalkboard
Nathan Barrett, Andrew McEachin, et al.
Civilian and Commercial Drones

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Drones Could Deliver Change to Africa
Drones could transform Africa's urban and rural infrastructure and enhance its agricultural productivity. But deployment of drones on the continent faces technological, economic, social, and legal, and regulatory challenges.
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Nov 17, 2017
Inside Sources
Shira Efron
Border and Port Security

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Broken Border or Broken Policy?
What does a secure land border look like? The U.S. government's inability to provide an answer has trapped America in a vicious cycle. Every decade, the perception that the U.S.-Mexico border isn't secure enough leads to big investments—with mixed results.
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Nov 17, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Blas Nunez-Neto
Teacher Training

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Why a Lack of STEM Teachers Could Jeopardise the Canada 2067 Vision
The future of STEM learning depends heavily on a strong STEM teaching workforce. But education systems around the world face significant challenges attracting, training, and keeping STEM teachers.
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Nov 17, 2017
Canada 2067
Julie Belanger
Global Climate Change

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How Hot Is Too Hot? Rising Temperatures and the Workplace
Climate change is here. Future extreme heat waves are a given and will likely grow in intensity, geographic reach, and duration. Plans must be made now to ensure survival of the poorest, to protect outdoor workers, and to adapt economic planning to what is increasingly becoming a hotter planet.
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Nov 16, 2017
Mint
Gulrez Shah Azhar
Counterterrorism

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America Is Great at Fighting Terrorism, but Terror Is Alive and Well
When terrorists adopt a strategy of pure terror, it's hard to prevent attacks like those in Nice, Columbus, London, Barcelona, or New York. Instead, strategies are needed to counter terrorism's ultimate aim—to instill fear—and to remove some of the incentives of potential attackers.
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Nov 16, 2017
Fortune
Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis
Smoking Cessation

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Can Vaping Help Smokers Quit? The Real Story from a Real Story
Evidence doesn't support using electronic cigarettes to quit smoking. In fact, doing so could even lead to reduced chances of quitting. Evidence does show that other options work, such as nicotine replacement patches or gum combined with counseling strategies.
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Nov 16, 2017
BASIS
William G. Shadel