The alliance between the United States and South Korea faces one of its most consequential tests in seventy-two years. Some observers believe it may be nearing its breaking point, and there is growing concern in both capitals that the existing framework is no longer sufficient to meet the strategic demands of a far more dangerous… Continue reading Increasing the Value of the ‘Linchpin’ Alliance Between the U.S. and South Korea
Category: Intel
Don’t Let Chinese Fears of a U.S. Decapitation Strike Lead to Nuclear War
When Chinese military planners, and probably even the Chinese leadership itself, think about a hypothetical future war with the United States, they are very likely worried that the U.S. military will attempt to decapitate the Chinese leadership. This may sound far-fetched to Americans, but there is very strong evidence that Beijing really does worry about… Continue reading Don’t Let Chinese Fears of a U.S. Decapitation Strike Lead to Nuclear War
Your New Teammate Is a Machine. Are You Ready?
Companies across various industries are investing heavily in AI to enhance employee productivity. A leader at the consulting firm McKinsey says he envisions an AI agent for every human employee. Soon, a factory manager will oversee a production line where human workers and intelligent robots seamlessly develop new products. A financial analyst will partner with… Continue reading Your New Teammate Is a Machine. Are You Ready?
Ukrainian Aspirations for U.S. Defense Ties
As Ukraine has become more important to the defense of NATO’s eastern flank, it may aspire to a long-term defense relationship with the United States more akin to those with some other key middle powers, such as Poland or South Korea. Like them, Ukraine may seek a U.S. relationship beyond training and the supply of… Continue reading Ukrainian Aspirations for U.S. Defense Ties
NASA’s Artemis II Mission Is Crucial as Doubts Build That America Can Beat China Back to the Moon
For the first time in half a century, America stands on the threshold of sending astronauts back to the Moon. Slated for launch no earlier than February 2026, Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface, but it will carry four astronauts on a flyby of Earth’s only natural satellite. The ten day mission… Continue reading NASA’s Artemis II Mission Is Crucial as Doubts Build That America Can Beat China Back to the Moon
Five Questions: Heather Schwartz on Connecting Schools, Jobs, and Infrastructure for Stronger Communities
If you’ve ever wondered how the places we live, learn, and work are all connected, Heather Schwartz has some answers. As vice president and director of the RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure (EEI) division, Schwartz heads a wide-ranging team of experts tackling real-world challenges—from classrooms and careers to housing affordability to a fair justice system… Continue reading Five Questions: Heather Schwartz on Connecting Schools, Jobs, and Infrastructure for Stronger Communities
Defending Against Mass Shooters
The latest spate of mass shootings across America understandingly raises safety concerns, but there are some effective and efficient measures that can be taken to defend against such attacks. New attention has been focused on the issue by recent shootings, including attacks on a Michigan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Dallas Immigration… Continue reading Defending Against Mass Shooters
Cruise Missiles Are the Present and Future of Warfare
There are two competing narratives about the future of warfare. For nearly the past two years, drones and artillery have been hailed as the way forward. The June 2025 Iran-Israel war revived the view that stealth warplanes are the future. These are two fundamentally different views, however, neither truly unseats the consistently outperforming and cost… Continue reading Cruise Missiles Are the Present and Future of Warfare
Paper Chase: A Global Industry Fuels Scientific Fraud in the U.S.
In southern India, a new enterprise called Peer Publicon Consultancy offers a full suite of services to scientific researchers. It will not only write a scholarly paper for a fee but also guarantee publishing the fraudulent work in a respected journal. It is one of many “paper mills” that have emerged across Asia and Eastern… Continue reading Paper Chase: A Global Industry Fuels Scientific Fraud in the U.S.
Preparing for the Death of Putin
Benjamin Franklin wrote that nothing is certain but death and taxes. In Russia, one might quip that only death and the overwhelming power of the tsar are constant. But what happens when the tsar dies? Vladimir Putin is the longest-serving Russian ruler since Joseph Stalin. He turns 73 on Oct. 7, old for a Russian,… Continue reading Preparing for the Death of Putin