Responding to Russia, Sex Trafficking, Anti-Bias Education: RAND Weekly Recap

This week, we discuss why the decision to either respond to Russia or deter China is a false choice; the effectiveness of sanctions as a tool for statecraft; why it may be time for a new approach to helping unemployed Americans; how substance use disorder complicates sex trafficking cases; teachers’ views on anti-bias education; the… Continue reading Responding to Russia, Sex Trafficking, Anti-Bias Education: RAND Weekly Recap

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Continuity of Government in Ukraine

On February 23 Russia launched a war on Ukraine. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and its parliament (Rada) might accelerate steps to ensure the continuity of government, a need made more urgent because of the risk that Kyiv could soon fall. Zelensky may still underestimate dangers. Despite reports that government relocation plans have been discussed with… Continue reading Continuity of Government in Ukraine

The Digital Skills Gap: What Workers Need for the Jobs of the Future

The COVID-19 pandemic quickened the pace of digital development around the world, as everything from meetings to movie premiers went online. That may sound like a silver lining. For tens of millions of workers, it’s not. They don’t have the skills to compete. They’re the bookkeepers, the data-entry clerks, the executive secretaries, looking for work… Continue reading The Digital Skills Gap: What Workers Need for the Jobs of the Future

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State of the Union 2022: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Domestic Policy

Last night, President Joe Biden delivered his first official State of the Union address, rebuking a revanchist Russia days after its invasion of Ukraine, aiming to turn a page on the COVID-19 pandemic, and covering a wide range of important domestic issues facing the United States. To develop effective, evidence-based solutions to these problems, policymakers… Continue reading State of the Union 2022: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Domestic Policy

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Ensuring Russia’s War with Ukraine Doesn’t Morph into Direct Conflict with NATO

Russia has launched an unprecedented act of aggression against Ukraine. The United States and its allies must respond forcefully. But as they do, they should take into account the possibility of triggering a spiral of escalation that could lead to the only outcome worse than the invasion of Ukraine itself: a hot war between Russia… Continue reading Ensuring Russia’s War with Ukraine Doesn’t Morph into Direct Conflict with NATO

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When the new doesn’t work – try the old – BBC Resurrects Shortwave Radio

  It is clear that Russia is pulling out all the stops in their invasion of Ukraine. Traditional and Internet Information sources have been prime targets.   In response to the damage done to these information vectors, the BBC is reviving its shortwave radio service in Ukraine and Russia.     The March 3, 2022… Continue reading When the new doesn’t work – try the old – BBC Resurrects Shortwave Radio

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Complex—but Promising—Prospects as Finland and Sweden Mull NATO Membership

With Russian President Vladimir Putin invading a neighboring non-NATO nation and engaging in nuclear saber rattling, the alliance’s Article 5 mutual-defense guarantee may have gained new appeal for NATO’s two Nordic partners, Finland and Sweden. Indeed, Finnish politicians began debating membership in Helsinki Tuesday, with a new poll showing support for joining the alliance. Both… Continue reading Complex—but Promising—Prospects as Finland and Sweden Mull NATO Membership

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Biden’s Rhetoric on Ukraine Has Been Quite Moderate. Here’s What That Means

Russian and U.S. diplomats held multiple meetings last week to discuss the fate of Ukraine—talks that apparently failed to defuse the crisis. The U.S. government warned Friday of potential sabotage operations in Ukraine, a move that might give Moscow a pretext to mobilize some 100,000 Russian troops near the border to cross into Ukraine. Russian… Continue reading Biden’s Rhetoric on Ukraine Has Been Quite Moderate. Here’s What That Means

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Ukraine Needs Help Surviving Airstrikes, Not Just Killing Tanks

Much of the Western discussion about helping Ukraine in the face of overwhelming Russian military advantage centers on relatively short-range weapons and tactics meant to enmesh an invasion force in the “next Afghanistan” or a “near certainty of hell”: for example, providing more Javelin anti-tank weapons, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and weaponized drones; or training Ukrainian… Continue reading Ukraine Needs Help Surviving Airstrikes, Not Just Killing Tanks

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