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Civil Defense

Civil defense comprises activities designed to minimize the effects of war on the civilian population, deal with immediate emergency conditions, and quickly restore vital utilities and facilities damaged in an attack. RAND research assists national, state, and local agencies in preventing and mitigating terrorist activities; improving civil defense preparedness, response, and recovery actions; and understanding critical infrastructure needs.

Commentary
Defending Taiwan with Artificial Reefs
Deterring a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is arguably the most important defense problem of the next few decades. Artificial reefs could help to deter China simply by waiting to impale any potential invasion force.
May 10, 2023
Commentary
Japan's Strategic Shift: Significant, but Implementation Hurdles May Await
Japan's new strategic documents appear to demonstrate a recognition in Tokyo that it must do more for its own defense in the face of unprecedented security challenges. The dedication of resources, pursuit of new capabilities, and overarching commitment to a more robust defense are all significant moves that represent landmark change by one of America's key allies.
Jan 27, 2023
Commentary
Could Taiwan Defend with Uncrewed Surface Vessels?
Ukraine has demonstrated the ability of explosive uncrewed surface vessels to target ships. These weapons could play a role in preventing Chinese forces from successfully invading Taiwan in potential future scenarios.
Jan 9, 2023
Commentary
Ukraine War Is Motivating Taiwan to Better Secure Its Own Future
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is probably motivating Taiwan to better secure its own future versus China. But many of the challenges currently facing Taiwan, such as shortcomings in reservist training or lingering confusion over its military strategy, are difficult to fix, assuming they are even fixable.
May 13, 2022
Multimedia
Armed Resistance in Ukraine
RAND senior political scientist Stephen J. Flanagan discusses the concept of a state-organized national resistance movement in Ukraine.
Mar 29, 2022
Commentary
What Kind of Resistance Can Ukraine Mount?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered general mobilization, and Ukrainians are already engaging in irregular warfare and preparing for a prolonged resistance. What might a comprehensive Ukrainian resistance entail? What is the potential effectiveness, and what are the risks? What support could the international community provide?
Feb 28, 2022
Report
Civilian Resilience in the Baltic States
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have a history of resistance to foreign occupation. If the countries were occupied today, civilians could play a powerful role in their defense. They could impose costs on the occupier, deny consolidation, reduce capacity for repression, secure allied support, and expand popular support.
Nov 1, 2021
Commentary
The Definition of Mobilisation
In Australia, the prevailing view of mobilisation is that it is an activity associated with going to war. But it should also include preparing for, and where possible, preventing a range of potential hazards, as well as supporting subsequent recovery efforts.
Oct 21, 2021
Commentary
Japanese Public Needs to Know SDF to Appreciate It
Although Japan does not call the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) a military, externally it is widely respected as a modern armed force fielding advanced defense capabilities. Given the threats facing Japan, it may benefit the Japanese public to better understand the value of the SDF as an armed force and the military cooperation that takes place with the United States.
Feb 19, 2021
Commentary
How Norway's Allies View Its Defense Challenges and Opportunities
Norway's Ministry of Defence will shortly publish its next Long Term Plan, which outlines how the Armed Forces, in tandem with other elements of government and society, can best address the threats to Norway. Other countries can learn from how Norway chooses to tackle emerging challenges, and can benefit from its lessons learned.
Apr 16, 2020
Report
Enhancing Security on NATO's Northern Flank: Options for Norway
Norway supports deterrence, crisis management, and security in the High North—which includes the Scandinavian territories and northern Russia. What regional insights can other NATO allies provide to help Norway in its security role?
Mar 25, 2020
Commentary
Japan's Invisible Hand
Shinzo Abe has cemented his position as Japan's prime minister for the next three years. Now he is expected to make a concerted push for revising the Constitution, which has not been amended since 1947. But the Japanese public is not convinced of the need to revise the Constitution, making his efforts likely to fail.
Oct 10, 2018
Report
Unconventional Options for the Defense of the Baltic States
Unconventional options from the Swiss defense strategy during the Cold War could benefit Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These include training and equipping local defense units and preparing transportation infrastructure for demolition to prevent an invasion.
Feb 5, 2016
Commentary
Vive France's Defense of Its Jewish Citizens
France is not the problem when it comes to defending Jewish lives and Jewish rights. With a few exceptions, the French state and nation have been stalwart on these issues, if only because the French government has understood that those who strike at Jews usually are striking at values dear to France.
Feb 13, 2015
Commentary
Crowd-sourcing Our Security
Involvement can transform members of the public from helpless bystanders into active participants in their own defense, thereby reducing fear and alarm, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
May 13, 2013
Journal Article
Global Dimensions of Public Health Preparedness and Implications for US Action
This study suggests four timely US actions to address today's competing realities of globalization and economic austerity: raise awareness among clinicians and local health departments; capture and share exemplary disaster management practices across countries; ensure that US global health investments are effective, efficient, and sustainable; and think globally while acting locally to enhance US health security.
Jun 1, 2012
Journal Article
The Role of Law in Public Health Preparedness: Opportunities and Challenges
Most local public health officials rely on their perceptions of the legal environment in which they operate, but those perceptions often do not match the actual laws enacted.
Apr 1, 2012
Journal Article
Developing and Pilot Testing a Laboratory Specific Continuity of Operations Tabletop Exercise
Describes the importance of a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and identifies common strengths and potential vulnerabilities of laboratoy-specific COOPs.
Jan 1, 2012
Journal Article
Achieving Public Health Legal Preparedness: How Dissonant Views on Public Health Law Threaten Emergency Preparedness and Response
Organizational culture differences between public health and emergency management entities may hinder inter-agency collaboration.
Sep 1, 2011
Research Brief
Monitoring and Evaluation in Stabilisation Interventions: Rationale, challenges and principles of effective monitoring and evaluation
Reviews the state of the art in monitoring and evaluation of stabilisation operations and suggests ways forward.
Apr 6, 2011

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Edward Geist

Policy Researcher

Edward Geist is a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. His research interests include Russia (primarily defense policy), civil defense, artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons, and the potential impact of emerging technologies on nuclear strategy. He was formerly a MacArthur Nuclear…
Marta Kepe

Senior Defense Analyst

Marta Kepe is a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. Her research interests include defence policy and planning, defence industry and technology, national resilience, civilian-based resistance, unconventional warfare, and NATO and EU cooperation, European and transatlantic security,…

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