Russia Will Struggle to Sustain Its Disinformation Machine, Former New York Times/BBC Chief Tells RAND Europe

As former head of the New York Times and the BBC, Mark Thompson has tackled disinformation on both sides of the Atlantic. One of his big takeaways: It’s not as easy as you might think to sustain a successful disinformation campaign. “The Russian disinformation machine has taken some good kicks because of facts on the… Continue reading Russia Will Struggle to Sustain Its Disinformation Machine, Former New York Times/BBC Chief Tells RAND Europe

A Four-Day Week: Is America Ready?

How do you make four equal five? That’s a question many Americans are asking as they ponder the future of the time-honored five-day school week. As alluring as a calendar filled with three-day weekends may seem, research shows that short school weeks can have educational and health risks for students, but also benefits for them… Continue reading A Four-Day Week: Is America Ready?

Published
Categorized as Intel Tagged

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine May Harden U.S. Indo-Pacific Allies

Russia’s war against Ukraine has upended decades of entrenched defense policy in Europe. The effects of the war stretch worldwide as countries monitor Ukraine’s unfolding tragedy to glean possible lessons for their own security. Halfway around the world, two of America’s staunchest allies, Australia and Japan, are closely watching the situation, actively supporting Ukraine and… Continue reading Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine May Harden U.S. Indo-Pacific Allies

Published
Categorized as Intel Tagged

Gun Policy, China and Taiwan, Russian Propaganda: RAND Weekly Recap

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

Published
Categorized as Intel Tagged

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

Published
Categorized as Intel Tagged

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

Published
Categorized as Intel Tagged

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