National Security

RAND conducts a broad array of national security research for the U.S. Department of Defense. RAND also carries out an extensive research program in homeland security, homeland defense, and terrorism-related research for the U.S. Government, as well as selected research for key allied governments and ministries of defense. Through its long-term investment in federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), the U.S. government has built a network of institutions with unique analytical and technical capabilities.

National security research is conducted by the following RAND FFRDCs: RAND Project AIR FORCE, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force; RAND Arroyo Center, sponsored by the U.S. Army; RAND National Defense Research Institute, sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

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Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems — Aug. 25, 2008

Why have the costs of acquiring space systems been so high? What are the sources of the problems? To answer these questions, RAND researchers examined the sources of cost growth of Air Force space systems and undertook an extensive study of two space systems.

Full Document

Dangerous Thresholds: Managing Escalation in the 21st Century — Aug. 25, 2008

Historical examples and the analysis of two modified Delphi exercises augment an examination of approaches to escalation management within the demands of today’s security environment and its attendant threats involving not only long-standing nuclear powers, but also insurgent groups and terrorists.

Full Document

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Center Assesses Post-Deployment Health-Related Needs of Iraq Veterans — May 11, 2008

The Invisible Wounds of War Study assessed Iraq veterans' health-related needs associated with PTSD, major depression, and traumatic brain injury, examined the treatment capacity of the current health care system, and estimated the costs of providing quality health care to all military members who need it.

August 29, 2008: Too Soon to Judge the Surge, By Nora Bensahel (San Diego Union-Tribune)

August 28, 2008: Georgia: Breakdown of Vision the West Had for a New Europe, By Robert E. Hunter (European Affairs)

August 25, 2008: Kosovo and South Ossetia More Different Than Similar , By Olga Oliker (RFERL.org, the website of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty)

August 24, 2008: Turkey's Second Chance, By F. Stephen Larrabee (Washington Times)

August 21, 2008: Book by RAND's James Dobbins Gives an Insider's Account of What Happened in Afghanistan 'After the Taliban'

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How Terrorist Groups End - Lessons for Countering al Qa'ida

All terrorist groups eventually end. But how do they end? The evidence since 1968 indicates that most groups have ended because they joined the political process (43 percent) or local police and intelligence agencies arrested or killed key members (40 percent). Military force has rarely been the primary reason for the end of terrorist groups, and few groups within this time frame have achieved victory.

Final Report

War by Other Means: RAND Counterinsurgency Study -- Final Report

Cover: War by Other Means--Building Complete and Balanced Capabilities for Counterinsurgency

The difficulties encountered by the United States in securing Iraq and Afghanistan despite years of effort and staggering costs raises the central question of the RAND Counterinsurgency Study: How should the United States improve its capabilities to counter insurgencies, particularly those that are heavily influenced by transnational terrorist movements and thus linked into a global jihadist network?

Final Report