CMEPP in the News: 2008
RAND researchers often write commentaries for publications on a variety of topics. This page lists commentaries and op-eds about the Middle East. For a complete list of commentaries and op-eds by RAND staff, visit the RAND Newsroom.
Political Reform in the Arab World is a Mixed Bag in Confronting Terrorism — Sep. 24, 2008
A RAND Corporation study issued today finds that democratic political reforms can marginalize extremists and undermine support for political violence, but cosmetic reforms and backtracking on democratization can exacerbate the risk of terrorism.
News Release
Full Document
Defeating Terrorist Groups — Sep. 23, 2008
Testimony presented by Seth G. Jones before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.
Full Document
A Nuclear 9/11? — Sep. 11 2008
Will terrorists go nuclear? It is a question that worried public officials and frightened citizens have been asking for decades. It is no less of a worry today, as we ponder the seventh anniversary of 9/11 as discussed by Brian Micheal Jenkins for CNN.com .
News Release
Commentary
Smooth Presidential Transition Is Crucial To Early Foreign Policy and National Security Success — Sep. 8, 2008
The foreign policy success of incoming presidents, particularly in the early years of a presidency, is largely determined by how well the new administration learns from the successes and failures of the outgoing president, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.
News Release
Full Document
Too Soon to Judge the Surge — Aug. 29, 2008
Most of the units involved in the surge have been withdrawn from Iraq, and troop levels are about what they were before the surge was announced. And if General Petraeus recommends, further troop cuts may be adopted this fall. The key question is whether levels of violence will remain low once those troops are gone.
Commentary
National Security Research Area
Georgia: Breakdown of Vision the West Had for a New Europe — Aug. 28, 2008
Since the Russian Federation sent tanks, troops, and planes slicing into Georgia, commentators have reached for a variety of historic parallels.... None of these supposed parallels catches the current situation.
Commentary
International Affairs Research Area
Kosovo and South Ossetia More Different Than Similar — Aug. 26, 2008
The Russian government has long highlighted the similarities between Kosovo and South Ossetia. When Kosovo declared independence, Russia argued that this would embolden South Ossetia, as discussed by Olga Oliker in this commentary for RFERL.org .
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The Arc: A Formal Structure For a Palestinian State — Aug. 25, 2008
This video explores the options for the physical infrastructure of potential for a Palestinian state.
View the Video
Turkey's Second Chance — Aug. 25, 2008
The recent decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court not to close the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) helped Turkey narrowly dodge a dangerous political bullet, according to this commentary by F. Stephen Larrabee for the Washington Times .
Commentary
After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan — Aug. 19, 2008
Ambassador James Dobbins recounts how the U.S. administration reluctantly adjusted to its new role as nation-builder, yields insights into how government and diplomacy really work, and explains why it has failed to stabilize Afghanistan or Iraq.
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Expert Bio
Researcher Farhana Ali Discusses Future of Pakistan — Aug. 18, 2008
The future of Pakistan after the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is discussed in this interview of Farhana Ali by C-Span.
View the Video at c-span.org
Stop the ’War’ on Terror: Calling It a ’War’ Is a Boon to Terrorist Recruiters — Aug. 6, 2008
Military might against terrorist groups isn’t working. After studying the record of 648 terrorist groups between 1968 and 2006, military force has rarely been effective, as discussed in this commentary by Seth G. Jones and Martin C. Libicki for the Christian Science Monitor.
Commentary
Dressed To Kill: Why the Number of Female Suicide Bombers is Rising in Iraq — Jul. 31, 2008
Muslim female suicide bombers are on the rise. For almost 10 years, we have warned that women would start playing a more aggressive role in groups like Al Qaeda, as discussed in this commentary by Farhana Ali for Newsweek .
News Release
Turkey’s broadening crisis - Jul. 28, 2008
Turkey is facing a political crisis that not only threatens the country’s internal stability but could weaken its ties to the West and exacerbate instability in the Middle East as discussed by F. Stephen Larrabee in the International Herald Tribune.
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How to Save Karzai - Jul. 25, 2008
Afghanistan’s president is no George Washington, it’s true. But with Afghanistan growing more chaotic by the day, now is no time to throw Hamid Karzai under the bus as discussed in this commentary by Seth Jones for Foreign Policy .
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Dealing with Iran: The Case for Talking - Jul. 1, 2008
Negotiating with Iran will not necessarily produce accomodations, however it will provide more information, which will in turn lead to more options, better choices and wiser policy, as discussed by James Dobbins in this commentary for the International Herald Tribune .
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Shortcomings in Planning for Post-Combat Period in Iraq Outlined - June 30, 2008
Efforts to adequately plan for the post-combat period in Iraq were thwarted by overly optimistic views held by top civilian leaders and a belief among military leaders that civilian authorities would be responsible for postwar operations, according to a report by RAND Corporation researchers.
News Release
Full Document
Taliban's Sanctuary Bases in Pakistan Must Be Eliminated - Jun. 9, 2008
If Taliban sanctuary bases in Pakistan are not eliminated, the United States and its NATO allies will face crippling long-term consequences in their effort to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.
Full Document News Release
A chance in Lebanon; No place for tyrants - Jun. 9, 2008
Hezbollah’s recent flexing of its muscles in Lebanon may well lead to the unintended effect of disarming the militant group. In this commentary by Theodore Karasik and Ghassan Schbley for the International Herald Tribune stated that the Lebanese people are truly fed up.
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Afghan Progress Spotty but Hopeful - May 12, 2008
Progress in Afghanistan is a study in contrasts. Progress is substantial in the north, but limited in the south. In this commentary by Obaid Younossi and Peter Dahl Thruelsen for the Providence Journal, sustained efforts are required by the UN and the Afghan government to develop a multiyear, well-resourced political, military and economic roadmap.
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A House of Tribes for Iraq - Apr. 29, 2008
Many western notions of governance struggle with Iraq, however one that deserves a close look is the effort to create a unique upper legislative body: The House of Tribes, as discussed in this commentary by Theodore W. Karasik and Ghassan Schbley for Washingtonpost.com.
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Good Morning, Syria! – Time to Revisit Our Axis of Evil List? — Apr. 22, 2008
Syria is changing and the United States should take notice. A vibrant youth scene, chic cafe´s, art exhibitions, modish shopping districts, and the WiFi hotspots in a country late to adopt the Internet, are not the only surprises in Syria, as discussed in this commentary by Cheryl Benard and Edward O’Connell for the Providence Journal .
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Iraq Needs an Ownership Surge - Apr. 13, 2008
The military surge in Iraq has created conditions favorable for long-term stability. Now a new approach to economic reconstruction is needed to sustain the hard-fought military gains as discussed in this commentary by Joseph Konzelmann and Clare Lockhart for the Washington Times.
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Finding Common Ground in an Uncommon Nation - Mar. 19, 2008
After a recent trip to Syria, Edward O'Connell and Cheryl Benard, in this commentary for Malibu Magazine, found themselves happening one night upon an unsettling and perception-busting TV program, they found that in a country known for defending terrorism, programs that portrayed quite the opposite.
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Iraq's Sunni Time Bomb - Apr. 4, 2008
While the recent fighting in Basra and Baghdad has alerted us to the danger that Shiite-on-Shiite violence poses to our goals in Iraq, it should not divert our focus from the fact that the Sunni tribesmen who have sided with the American-led coalition may turn against us. A commentary by Matthew Sherman for the New York Times .
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America is Making a Difference in Eastern Afghanistan - Apr. 2, 2008
The United States has turned a corner in Afghanistan, as discussed by Seth G. Jones in this commentary for Globe and Mail . It has made some progress against the Taliban and other insurgent groups in eastern Afghanistan, and created a window of opportunity to spread this elsewhere.
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Georgia on Their Mind — Mar. 27, 2007
As NATO heads toward its summit meeting in Bucharest on April 3-4, the question of NATO enlargement – especially whether to give Membership Action Plans, or MAPs, to Georgia and Ukraine – has re-emerged as a contentious issue, as discussed in this commentary by F. Stephen Larrabee for International Herald Tribune.
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Danish Cartoons Doom Us All - Mar. 21, 2008
Last week's rage in Pakistan over reprints of cartoons and a forthcoming Dutch film that insult Islam's holy book once again entangles Muslims and the West in a fury over freedom of speech, as discussed in this commentary by Farhana Ali for United Press International.
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A Post-Musharraf Pakistan Policy - Mar. 10, 2008
Now that the parliamentary elections in Pakistan have gone decisively against President Musharraf, will the newly elected prime minister agree to work with Musharraf? If not, what should the United States do in response? This is the subject of a new commentary by Farhana Ali for Washingtonpost.com.
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Why We Need to Nail Osama — Feb. 28, 2007
The recent killing of Hezbollah’s Imad Mughniyah begs a larger question: How important is it to take out key terrorists such as Osama bin Laden? The costs and benefits of such action is the subject of this commentary by Elbridge Colby for the Washington Times.
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Women's Greater Role in Nation-Building Can Lead to Economic and Political Stability in Post-Conflict Countries - Feb. 27, 2008
Women’s participation in post-conflict nation-building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society, according to a RAND Corporation study released today.
News Release
Full Document
To Support Democracy in Pakistan — Feb. 25, 2008
The Pakistani people have seized an important democratic opportunity by voting decisively against retired general President Pervez Musharraf and the Islamist parties. The United States would be wise to support this action financially, diplomatically and politically as discussed by C. Christine Fair in this commentary for the Washington Times .
Commentary
Broadening Qatari Post-Secondary Education Offerings Would Help Meet Future Employment Needs - Feb. 12, 2008
Education and employment preferences in Qatar are not well aligned with the demands of the Persian Gulf state’s labor market, and existing post-secondary educational offerings do not meet all of the nation’s needs, according to a RAND Corporation study issued today.
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International Perspectives on Interagency Reform - Jan. 29, 2008
The United States and many of its allies and partners have become increasingly involved in stability operations and nation building around the world. This testimony by Nora Bensahel before the Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations suggests major capability shortfalls that may undermine prospects for success.
Congressional Testimony
Nora Bensahel discusses counter insurgency in Iraq - Jan. 24, 2008
A group of former Sunni insurgents in Iraq joined forces to form, “The Awakening Council.” that has grown to about 70,000 members and has helped quell the violence. Nora Bensahel discusses with Katy Clark of PRI, The World that the group is now under attack by the current insurgents in Iraq.
Listen to the Interview
Not That Bad a Legacy, After All - Jan. 18, 2008
George W. Bush may leave a positive foreign policy legacy after all, as discussed in this engaging commentary by James Dobbins for the International Herald Tribune. His commitment to Middle East peace, Israel and Palestine, and his willingness to talk to Iran and North Korea will make it easier for his successor.
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U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Assassination, instability, and the future of U.S. policy — Jan. 16, 2008
Testimony on U.S.-Pakistan Relations Assassination, Instability, and the Future of U.S. Policy presented before the Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia United States House of Representatives by C. Christine Fair.
Testimony
Robert E. Hunter Awarded Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown — Jan. 7, 2007
Robert E. Hunter is an expert in a wide variety of foreign policy and national security fields. He was recently awarded the Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown by the Belgian government for his work in modernizing NATO and for helping to repair US-Belgian relations after the Iraq war.
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