Policy pointers

Defence, Terrorism & Security

Building Moderate Muslim Networks

Rand Corporation

This 216-page US monograph describes a road map for sponsoring the development of moderate and liberal Muslim networks

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2007-05-29

U.S. Army Security Cooperation: Toward Improved Planning and Management

Rand Corporation

A 124-page monograph written to assist the U.S. army to assess future demand for resources devoted to security co-operation and evaluate the impact of these demands on the resources available to the army

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2004-09-16

The UN's Role in Nation-Building

Rand Corporation

This 318-page publication reviews UN efforts to transform eight unstable countries into democratic, peaceful and prosperous partners, and compares those missions with U.S. nation-building operations

International Development, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2005-03-04

Deterrence: From Cold War to Long War

Rand Corporation

This 123-page US monograph is intended to encourage debate and discussion on howdeterrence can best be incorporated into U.S. strategy.

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-11-26

Beyond Close Air Support: Forging a New Air Ground Partnership

Rand Corporation

A U.S. monograph examining methods for improving coordination between air and ground power

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2005-05-09

Integrating Civilian Agencies in Stability Operations

Rand Corporation

This 200-page US book assesses the capacity of the civilian agencies to participate in SSTR operations, analyzes the recurring structural problems that have plagued their attempts to do so, and suggests a series of options that are worth considering in order to improve the current situation

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-09-23

Victory Has a Thousand Fathers: Sources of Success in Counterinsurgency

Rand Corporation

A 188-page US monograph examining approaches to counterinsurgency from 30 recent resolved campaigns

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2010-07-22

Afghanistan's Local War: Building Local Defense Forces

Rand Corporation

A 114-page US monograph discussing the viability of establishing local security forces in Afghanistan and addresses concerns about the wisdom of such policies

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2010-07-31

How Insurgencies End

Rand Corporation

A US study of 89 modern insurgency cases to test conventional understanding about how insurgencies end

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2010-04-29

Determinants of Productivity for Military Personnel

Rand Corporation

An 87-page U.S. report reviewing the literature and findings on major factors contributing to the productivity of military personnel

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2005-05-09

Mapping the Risks: Assessing the Homeland Security Implications of Publicly Available Geospatial Information

Rand Corporation

This 237-page report offers an analytical framework for assessing whether publicly accessible geospatial information can assist potential attackers

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2004-03-31

The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq: A Policy Conundrum

Rand Corporation

This 132-page US report finds that the coalition's experience with the MeK offers valuable lessons for dealing with special populations in future military actions and for providing better training for field commanders and enlisted personnel

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-08-18

Improving the Army's Management of Reparable Spare Parts

Rand Corporation

This 111-page U.S. monograph develops an integrative approach to improving the responsiveness, reliability and efficiency of the U.S. Army's inventory management and component repair processes

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2005-05-09

Co-ordinating the War on Terrorism

Rand Corporation

This 23-page U.S. occasional paper addresses how the war on terrorism should be co-ordinated within the executive branch of the federal government

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2004-03-31

Establishing Law and Order After Conflict

Rand Corporation

A 292-page U.S. book examining post-Cold War reconstruction efforts and assessing their success in reconstructing internal security institutions

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2005-09-21

Ungoverned Territories: Understanding and Reducing Terrorism Risks

Rand Corporation

A 396-page US study of the conditions that create ungoverned territories and those that make such territories more conducive to terrorism

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-10-29

How Terrorist Groups End: Lessons from Countering Al Qa'ida

Rand Corporation

This 250-page US monograph analyzes the primary reasons for the end of terrorist groups

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-08-12

Confronting the "Enemy Within": Security Intelligence, the Police, and Counterterrorism in Four Democracies

Rand Corporation

This 91-page U.S. document reviews domestic intelligence services in U.K., France, Canada and Australia as part of an assessment of the FBI's capability in intelligence-gathering

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2004-04-09

Radical Islam in East Africa

Rand Corporation

This 110-page monograph places the spread of militant Islamism and the development of radical Islamist networks in East Africa in the broader context of the social, economic, and political factors that have shaped the region's security environment

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2009-02-11

Pacific Currents: The Responses of U.S. Allies and Security Partners in East Asia to China's Rise

Rand Corporation

This 309-page US monograph analyzes how U.S. allies and major security partners have responded to the rise of China in the last decade in their domestic political, economic, diplomatic, and military policymaking.

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2008-11-26

The Future Security Environment in the Middle East: Conflict, Stability and Political Change

Rand Corporation

This 365-page report identifies important trends shaping regional security, examines traditional and newer security concerns and identifies their implications for U.S. foreign policy

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2004-04-02

Evaluating Novel Threats to the Homeland

Rand Corporation

This 128-page US monograph considers defensive options for dealing with novel threats by terrorist groups

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-08-15

Securing America's Passenger Rail System

Rand Corporation

A 142-page monograph offering a framework for security planners and policymakers to guide cost-effective rail security planning, especially against the risk of terrorism

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-03-18

Enhancing Public Health Preparedness: Exercises, Exemplary Practices, and Lessons Learned

Rand Corporation

This 92-page technical report evaluates the validity of criteria developed to assess the design of emergency response exercises

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Public Safety & Disaster MitigationPosted: 2005-07-10

Security Force Assistance in Afghanistan

Rand Corporation

This 160-page volume analyzes SFA efforts in Afghanistan over time, documents U.S. and international approaches to building the Afghan force from 2001 to 2009, and provides observations and recommendations that emerged from extensive fieldwork in Afghanistan in 2009 and their implications for the U.S. Army

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2011-09-08

Global Demographic Change and Its Implications for Military Power

Rand Corporation

This 170-page US monograph analyzes the impact of demographics on the prospective production of military power and the causes of war

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2011-08-04

From Insurgency to Stability: Volume I: Key Capabilities and Practices

Rand Corporation

This 272-page volume identifies the procedures and capabilities that the U.S. Department of Defense, other agencies of the U.S. government, U.S. allies and partners, and international organizations require in order to support the transition from counterinsurgency, when the military takes primary responsibility for security and economic operations, to stability and reconstruction, when police and civilian government agencies take the lead

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2011-09-19

Nuclear Deterrence in Europe

Rand Corporation

This US monograph examines Russia’s evolving framework for nuclear deterrence and its implications for U.S. military operations in Europe

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2011-08-25

From Insurgency to Stability: Volume II: Insights from Selected Case Studies

Rand Corporation

This, the 320-page second volume in this series examines six case studies of insurgencies from around the world to determine the key factors necessary for a successful transition from counterinsurgency to a more stable situation. The authors review the causes of each insurgency and the key players involved, and examine what the government did right—or wrong—to bring the insurgency to an end and to transition to greater stability

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2011-09-19

Israel and Iran: A Dangerous Rivalry

Rand Corporation

This 116-page US study describes how Israeli-Iranian rivalry has intensified recently, particularly with the rise of fundamentalist leaders in Iran and the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran posing grave strategic and ideological challenges to Israel

Defence, Terrorism & Security, RegionalPosted: 2012-02-01

Reintegrating Afghan Insurgents

Rand Corporation

This 38-page US occasional paper examines reintegrating Taliban and other insurgents into their local communities in Afghanistan and outlines steps to facilitate that reintegration process

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2011-07-27

Iran’s Nuclear Future: Critical U.S. Policy Choices

Rand Corporation

This 153-page US report describes how, as Iran’s nuclear program evolves, U.S. decisionmakers will confront a series of critical policy choices involving complex considerations and policy trade-offs

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2011-06-08

Embracing the Fog of War: Assessment and Metrics in Counterinsurgency

Rand Corporation

A 340-page US monograph examining assessment and metrics in counterinsurgency

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2012-04-19

Stray Dogs and Virtual Armies

Rand Corporation

This 56-page US paper examines the cases of homegrown terrorism, highlights lessons learned from those cases that suggest future actions, and includes a chronology of terrorist events in the United States

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2011-09-08

U.S. Military Information Operations in Afghanistan: Effectiveness of Psychological Operations 2001-2010

Rand Corporation

A 202-page US monograph examining the effectiveness of the psychological operations element of U.S. military information operations in Afghanistan

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2012-05-02

Al Qaeda in Its Third Decade: Irreversible Decline or Imminent Victory?

Rand Corporation

This 32-page US essay examines a number of issues concerning the status of al Qaeda

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2012-03-07

Risk Assessment Decisions for Violent Political Extremism

Public Safety Canada.

The 44-page report of a Canadian project aiming to identify and compare the specific characteristics and factors of those who perpetrate “general” criminal violence and those who perpetrate ideologically motivated violence, to highlight the salient differences among the historical, contextual, attitudinal and protective risk factors of these types of criminal violence and to construct a new tool to assess the risk of violence in ideologically motivated extremists

Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-12-22

Emergency Management Education in Canada

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

A 74-page research report analyzing further education courses in emergency/disaster management in Canada and proposing necessary changes

Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2006-01-31

Sleepwalking in the Balkans

Project Syndicate

An article highlighting the risk too Bosnia's stability

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2008-11-07

Re-Thinking Counter-Terrorism

Project Syndicate

An article questioning the cost-effectiveness of current counter-terror measures

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-03-11

Forceful Engagement: Rethinking the Role of Military Power in US Global Policy

Project on Defense Alternatives

This 16-page report reviews and critiques the evolving role of force and the armed forces in US foreign and security policy since the end of the Cold War

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2008-12-10

QDR 2006: Do the Forces Match the Mission? DOD Gives Little Reason to Believe

Project on Defense Alternatives

A U.S. critique of the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2006-02-14

The Past Perfect Promise of Facial Recognition Technology

Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security

This 24-page occasional paper examines the history, technology and practical application of facial recognition and biometrics

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Personal PrivacyPosted: 2004-07-14

Limited War With Pakistan: Will it Secure India's Interests?

Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security

An occasional paper discussing the viability of a limited war being waged by India against Pakistan (1 page with links to all chapters)

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2004-10-27

Islamization and Dawah in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of the African Muslim Agency

PRISM

This 12-page Israeli paper analyzes the growing phenomenon of socio-political Islamization in Africa through Arab NGOs

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-08-28

Private Military Contractors and U.S. Grand Strategy

PRIO

This 53-page Norwegian report examines the use of private military contractors by the US

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2009-10-31

Comprehensive Responses to Gender Based Violence in Low-Resource Settings

Population Council

This 56-page report reviews the findings, lessons learned, and promising practices in the provision of comprehensive SGBV services in sub-Saharan Africa

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Human RightsPosted: 2010-08-25

Living Apart Together: British Muslims and the Paradox of Multiculturalism

Policy Exchange

A 100-page study of the attitudes of Muslims in Britain and the reasons behind the rapid rise of Islamic fundamentalism among younger Muslims

Immigration & Refugees, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-02-08

Israel's Strike on Syria Reduces Chances for Peace Deal

PNIR

This US brief comments on the effect of Israel's recent air strike on the prospects for a peace deal with Syria

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-10-12

Somaliland Moves to Close its Borders

PNIR

A US security briefing on the Somaliland conflict

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-11-07

Warming Increases the Risk of Civil War in Africa

PNAS

A 5-page US article highlighting the risk of civil wars being sparked in Africa by global warming

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Climate Change & EnvironmentPosted: 2010-01-08

Warming Increases Risk of Civil War in Africa

PNAS

This 5-page US paper finds that climate change could increase the likelihood of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent within the next two decade

Climate Change & Environment, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2009-11-26

Venezuela Continues to Purchase Russian Weapons

PINR

A US security brief on Venuzuelan arms purchases from Russia

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-10-31

Political Fragmentation Hinders Lebanon's Stability

PINR

A US brief on the political crisis in Lebanon and the implications for the country's future stability

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-10-10

Lebanon's Upcoming Presidential Elections

PINR

A US intelligence brief assessing the significance of Lebanon's forthcoming presidential elections

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-09-22

The Implications of Russia's Moratorium of the C.F.E. Treaty

PINR

A US report examining the implications of Russia's decision to suspend participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2007-11-21

The E.P.R. Targets Mexico's Energy Industry

PINR

An assessment of the security threat posed to Mexico's energy industry by the E.P.R.

Defence, Terrorism & Security, EnergyPosted: 2007-10-04

India-China Competition Revealed in Ongoing Border Disputes

PINR

A US analysis of strains in Sino-Indian relations

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-10-09

Israel's Current Strategy in the Gaza Strip

PINR

A US security brief on Israel's current Gaza Strip policy

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-10-24

Faint Signs of Cooperation Appear Among Pakistan's Opposition Parties

PINR

A US intelligence brief on recent developments among Pakistan's opposition parties

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-11-21

The Political Significance of the U.S.-China Military Hotline

PINR

A US intelligence brief on the political significance of the US-China military hotline

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-11-19

The E.U. Appoints New Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

PINR

A US intelligence brief commenting on the role of the EU's counter-terrorism coordinator

Defence, Terrorism & Security, European UnionPosted: 2007-10-09

Somalia's New Reality: A Strategic Overview

PINR

A strategic overview of the current political situation in Somalia

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-12-28

Somalia Completes its Devolutionary Cycle

PINR

A US brief tracing the disintegration of Somalia as a political community

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-12-13

China's Decision to Deny U.S. Ships from Port of Hong Kong

PINR

A US commentary on the decision of China to deny access for US naval ships to the port of Hong Kong

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-12-09

Shining Path's Resurgence in Peru

PINR

A US security brief on the apparent resurgence of the Shining Path movement in Peru

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2007-11-19

Israeli Missile Defense and its Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

PINR

A US security brief on the feasibility and implications of Israel developing a missile defense system

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-11-21

Russia Reasserts Power with Thermobaric Weapons and Bomber Runs

PINR

This US intelligence brief discusses the implications of Russia's increased military activity

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-11-22

Niger Delta Struggle Increasingly Decentralized

PINR

An intelligence brief providing an update on the security situation in the Niger Delta

Defence, Terrorism & Security, International DevelopmentPosted: 2007-08-24

Russia's Upcoming Revised Military Doctrine

PINR

An assessment of the likely nature of Russia's Revised Military Doctrine

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-03-06

Bulgaria, U.S. Bases and Black Sea Geopolitics

PINR

A US article discussing developing security relations between Washington and Sofia

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-08-29

Faint Signs of Political Evolution Appear in Somalia's Devolutionary Cycle

PINR

A US analysis of the current political and security situations in Somalia

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2007-08-22

Georgia-Russian Missile Row Calls for West to Revise its Strategy in Eurasia

PINR

This US analysis examines the West's geopolitical options in respect of Eurasia

Foreign Policy, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-08-22

Geopolitical Risk Rises in F.Y.R.O.M.

PINR

A US intelligence brief warning of a rising risk of instability in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2007-09-14

Recognising Iran as a Strategic Threat: An Intelligence Challenge of the United States

Permanent Select Comittee on Intelligence

A 29-page US report assessing the nature of threats posed by Iran to the United States

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2006-08-25

U.S. Nuclear Policy After the Cold War

Peace Research Institute Frankfurt

A 71-page report tracing the development of the U.S. nuclear arsenal since the end of the cold war

Disarmament & Peacekeeping, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2004-09-14

Confronting Iran: Critical Perspectives on the Current Crisis, Its Origins and Implications

PDA

A compilation of critical analyses and essential background on the growing U.S. confrontation with Iran (single page linking to each item)

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Foreign PolicyPosted: 2007-02-19

Pyrrhus on the Potomac: How America's Post-9/11 Wars Have Undermined US Security

PDA

An article making a critical cost-benefit analysis of the US "war on terrorism"

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2006-09-07

Iran Primer: The Basij Resistance Force

PBS.org

A US article on the place of the Basij Resistance Force in Iranian politics

Governance & Politics, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2010-10-21

Palestinian Security Sector Governance: Challenges and Prospects

PASSIA, DCAF

An 18-page document containing the summary report and 3 presentations made at a workshop held to discuss the challenges of Palestinian security governance and the prospects for security sector reform (SSR)

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Crime, Law & OrderPosted: 2006-10-25

Nuclear Terrorism: US Policies to Reduce the Threat of Nuclear Terror

Partnership for a Secure America

A report card on US government efforts to prevent nuclear, chemical and biological terrorism

Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-12-05

Nuclear Proliferation

Parliamentary Library Service - Northern Territory

A 12-page Australian paper considering key issues in the context of nuclear proliferation

Defence, Terrorism & Security, Disarmament & PeacekeepingPosted: 2007-02-26