This week, we discuss gun policy in America; what might happen if China “quarantined” Taiwan; the future of U.S. policy toward Afghanistan; engaging youth with public policy; Russia’s “firehose of falsehood” propaganda model; and the Internet of Bodies. Image by Chara Williams/RAND Corporation On Tuesday, a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an… Continue reading Gun Policy, China and Taiwan, Russian Propaganda: RAND Weekly Recap
Tag: Intel
The Gun Laws That Work, and the Gun Laws That Don’t
Part of the deeply polarized debate over guns in the United States—inflamed, yet again, by the horrific events in Uvalde, Texas—is ideological. A segment of the population rejects any and all regulation of these weapons as an abridgment of freedom; another segment holds uncompromising anti-gun views. But some of the arguments about how best to… Continue reading The Gun Laws That Work, and the Gun Laws That Don’t
Ukraine’s Best Chance for Peace
At this stage of the war in Ukraine, as Russia steps up its offensive in the Donbas and more revelations of the atrocities committed by its forces emerge, the prospect of any kind of negotiated peace between Moscow and Kyiv seems remote. Even earlier this spring, when delegations from the two sides were meeting, the… Continue reading Ukraine’s Best Chance for Peace
The Return of ‘Don’t Poke the Bear’
Don’t poke the bear. This idiom summed up an American strategy that argued, essentially, that the West should avoid antagonizing Russia, lest it enrage the beast. After the invasion of Ukraine, the approach fell out of favor. But as Ukraine has pushed Russian forces back from Kyiv, the school has witnessed an unexpected resurgence. A… Continue reading The Return of ‘Don’t Poke the Bear’
Shortwave Follow-up: Why the BBC’s Service Matters
On March 25, 2022 Rand published an article “Why the BBC World Service’s New Ukrainian Shortwave Service Matters” (see: https://bit.ly/3LPiFd4, which is also a photo source). One of the reasons I think shortwave is under-rated is because most everyone else is focused on Social Media. While Social Media is important, it is not… Continue reading Shortwave Follow-up: Why the BBC’s Service Matters
American Psychological Association: The role of psychological warfare in the battle for Ukraine
Something a bit different today. Rather than analysis I am providing some highlights from a well respected academic and professional source – the American Psychological Association. As an online instructor for American Military University and the Monterey College of Law I am often asked about ‘peer reviewed scholarly journals’ for students’ use in… Continue reading American Psychological Association: The role of psychological warfare in the battle for Ukraine
You Don’t Have to Like It
The 4th PSYOP Group (Fort Bragg, NC) created quite a hullaballoo with their May 2, 2022 recruiting video “Ghosts in the Machine” (which you can find at: https://bit.ly/3GeYEuX and is a photo source). The video employs Koko the Clown, which first appeared in Out of the Ink Well from 1918 – 1929. You can… Continue reading You Don’t Have to Like It
Gun Policy, Ukraine’s Best Chance for Peace, Equity and Public Policy: RAND Weekly Recap
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
Modi’s Multipolar Moment Has Arrived
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
How Can Commercial Buildings Become Needed Housing?
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?