December 2017

commentary

What to Make of Trump's Decision on Jerusalem

While the Israeli-Palestinian issue is not a high priority in the Arab world today with all the other turmoil engulfing the region, not even the Trump administration's closest allies support the president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And it risks inflaming regional tension and increasing anti-American sentiment.

Dalia Dassa Kaye

commentary

America's New Security Strategy Reflects the Intensifying Strategic Competition with China

The United States unveiled its National Security Strategy last week, describing China as a revisionist power that actively competes against the United States and its allies and partners. China had strong words of its own in response. Both will need to navigate the relationship in a way that supports stability and prosperity for both countries.

Timothy R. Heath

commentary

A Smart Toy Could Have Personal Details for Life, Not Just for Christmas

Parents shouldn't avoid buying smart toys during the holidays, particularly if these devices top children's Christmas lists. But parents should definitely be wary of the security and privacy risks that smart toys can pose.

Erik Silfversten

commentary

Russia Trapped in Syria

Russia alone can neither guarantee the future security of Syria nor mobilize the resources to enable it to recover and rebuild. Only by linking arms with the international community to edge out Iran, forge broader-based governance and spur economic growth can Russia hope to achieve lasting success in Syria.

Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

The American Intellectual Property

In a continued search for competitive advantage, the United States may be asking the wrong question. Perhaps the question should be, how to most effectively cultivate what is inherent in Americans.

Timothy Marler

commentary

Moving Countries, Seeking Refuge from Climate Change

By the middle of this century, experts estimate that climate change is likely to displace between 150 and 300 million people. It is daunting to envision such large flows of people, but that is why the global community should start doing so now.

Gulrez Shah Azhar

blog

RAND Researchers Visit Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

A small team of RAND researchers went to Puerto Rico two weeks after the island was struck by Hurricane Maria. They are compiling their observations into a series of studies for the Army, with recommendations to smooth its response to future disasters.

commentary

Navigating the Latest Terrorism Trend

Terrorists are increasingly using vehicles as attack weapons, killing more than 150 people in the last 18 months. If this trend continues, the urban landscape will change as bollards, barricades and barriers, chicanes and checkpoints surround and subdivide public spaces. But do they make us safer?

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Minding the Gap: The Military, Politics, and American Democracy

The gap between Americans' confidence in the military versus its civilian counterparts has widened over the last several decades. This has led former military officers to play an increasingly prominent role in politics and changed the civil-military balance in potentially unhealthy ways.

Raphael S. Cohen

commentary

Economic Instability Endangers Democracy

The Western political community is retreating from its own institutions. The problem stems from the fact that the health of democracies is crucially dependent on their economic growth rate.

Jordan Willcox

commentary

Invisible Doomsday Machines: The Challenge of Clandestine Capabilities and Deterrence

As the United States increasingly contemplates acquiring clandestine capabilities for deterrence and warfighting, it should consider rethinking its approach to managing these programs. A unified management approach would go a great distance toward meeting the challenges of these capabilities.

Brendan Rittenhouse Green, Austin Long

commentary

ISIS Could Rise Again

ISIS has a tried-and-true playbook for bringing itself back from near death. Just a few years ago, it managed to resurrect itself after apparent defeat. And the history of that resurrection should serve as a warning of what may be coming now.

Benjamin Bahney, Patrick B. Johnston

q&a

Justice for Florida Farmworkers: Q&A with Susan Marquis

In her new book, Susan Marquis takes readers inside the fight in Florida tomato fields. She traces the history and victories of a grassroots group of farmworkers and community leaders who wrested better wages and working conditions from major tomato growers and their corporate buyers.

commentary

Building Support for Social and Emotional Learning: Having an Evidence Base Is Critical

Students need more than proficiency in reading or math. Perseverance, active listening, empathy and good decision-making help kids succeed both academically and in life. Schools need access to high-quality social and emotional learning assessment measures to ensure programs will improve student learning and their futures.

Sean Grant @GrantSeanP, Laura S. Hamilton

commentary

Collaboration Is the Best Strategy to Combat Population Health Concerns

The greatest opportunities to improve health happen pretty much everywhere but the doctor's office. Collaborative programming that merges strategies from housing, education, or labor could make a big difference.

Vivian L. Towe