Category: Intel

This week, we discuss which gun laws work—and which ones don’t; a toolkit to help defend against mass attacks; one plausible path toward peace in Ukraine; programs that support families affected by incarceration; how to address homelessness in Los Angeles; and RAND’s role in the Evidence and Equity Collaborative. Photo by Veronica G. Cardenas/Reuters On… Continue reading Gun Policy, Ukraine’s Best Chance for Peace, Equity and Public Policy: RAND Weekly Recap

In every crisis, someone always benefits. In the case of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that someone is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By refusing to condemn Moscow and join Western-led sanctions, Modi has managed to elevate India’s global stature. Each of the other major powers—the United States, Russia, and China—are intensely courting India to deny… Continue reading Modi’s Multipolar Moment Has Arrived

The state recently ordered cities across Southern California to plan for the construction of 1.3 million more housing units in the next eight years, including 8,874 in Santa Monica and more than  450,000 in the City of Los Angeles. Converting commercial buildings into housing is one approach that has been seized upon by local policymakers,… Continue reading How Can Commercial Buildings Become Needed Housing?

Although it had been a feature of elections in some parts of the United States for years, the phenomenon of mail-ballot voting exploded in the 2020 election. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, jurisdictions around the country expanded use of mail voting, sometimes sending ballots to every registered voter. Steps were taken to facilitate… Continue reading Mail Voting and Election Legitimacy

This week, we discuss school district leaders’ concerns about mental health and political polarization; how to bring stability to Russia’s backyard; what satellite images reveal about China’s treatment of the Uyghur people; the final report from the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking; what the U.S. military can do to prevent civilian casualties; and how… Continue reading Problems in U.S. Schools, Conflict with Russia, Opioid Trafficking: RAND Weekly Recap

With Valentine’s Day approaching, many may be pondering traditional gift-giving strategies. Maybe it’s flowers, chocolates, or jewelry? But consider this: As we continue to endure the challenges of pandemic living, perhaps the greatest gift you could give to your partner (and yourself) is a good night of sleep. As I describe in my book, “Sharing… Continue reading For Valentine’s Day, a Good Night’s Sleep May Be the Best Gift

With Russia now having enough troops and equipment in place to invade Ukraine if diplomacy fails, one fallout of such an invasion could be a massive refugee or migration crisis. If that happened, there would be significant humanitarian, political, and economic implications for both the Ukrainians who flee and for the European nations they go… Continue reading How to Manage a Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

Back in fall 2021, we at the American School District Panel surveyed school districts nationwide to better understand their staffing challenges in the pandemic’s third school year. The results echoed media accounts: large majorities of districts report they don’t have enough staff to hire—particularly substitutes, bus drivers, and special education teachers. When we conducted in-depth… Continue reading Finding Teachers and Bus Drivers Is a Big Problem, but a Different Staffing Challenge Is Looming in School Districts

Antarctica, as one of the largest shared spaces on the planet, represents an emerging nexus of geostrategic competition. Australia may have reason to be troubled by this. As a longstanding champion of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), and as Antarctica’s largest claimant, any fracturing of the status quo could force Australia to reappraise its strategic… Continue reading Not So Quiet on the Southern Front