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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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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