Message from the Editor

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Our Contribution

America's new war—against another adversary with global reach—will require an even greater analytical effort. Terrorism is an enemy much more inscrutable than the former Soviet Union. If research was crucial before, it is absolutely indispensable now.

This issue of RAND Review offers a sampling of what we are contributing on a wide range of fronts to help fight terrorism. In the year since Sept. 11, 2001, we have examined the dimensions of the terrorist threat—and the potential responses to it—in greater detail than ever before in our three decades of counterterrorism research.

James Thomson and Brian Jenkins set the stage for this issue. Thomson describes four troubling global trends that we urgently need to understand better so that we can counteract terrorism better, while Jenkins offers a unique historical perspective on the pioneering role of counterterrorism research at RAND.

In the 27 essays that follow, RAND authors offer specific policy recommendations when they can. When they cannot, they outline the important questions that need to be answered before recommendations can be made. All of these essays represent work done within the past year.

Here are some of our initial findings:

• Global health care is vital to global security. America has an unprecedented opportunity to make a lasting difference in the world and to fight terrorism at the same time.

• Social and economic development programs around the world can inhibit terrorism only when they are adequately funded and properly implemented.

• The U.S. military needs to prepare for more frequent deployments and more long-term deployments to far-flung regions. It also needs to add new offensive capabilities to its arsenal.

• It is often more effective to target the mid-level core of a terrorist organization than its top-level leaders.

• Airport security at home should be rebuilt from the bottom up, with the federal government coordinating locally designed solutions.

• The veterinary science curriculum in the United States needs to place greater emphasis on the recognition and treatment of animal diseases of exotic origin so that livestock and people can be defended against the terrorist use of biological weapons.

• Local emergency responders need equipment that is more durable and training that is more representative of extended response activities.

• Many hospitals and local public health departments should conduct terrorism drills more frequently and do a better job of integrating their preparedness plans with those of other local emergency response agencies.

Here are some of the questions that still cry out for answers:

• What are the roots of anti-American violence? Stemming the violence requires an honest examination of what drives others to lash out against America.

• How should victims of terrorism be compensated? Neither private insurance, the tort system, private charities, nor government aid alone is likely to provide a satisfactory solution.

• What makes individuals and communities resilient in the face of terrorism? Many local institutions could salve psychological wounds.

Our work proceeds on additional fronts not covered in these pages. Research on demographic trends in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia could inform U.S. military plans and international development programs. Research on educational reform in the Middle East could yield promising strategies for diverting youth away from anger and frustration.

America needs research in all of these areas to help win the war against terrorism. We consider our counterterrorism research of the past year—and of the past 30 years—to be just a start.

—John Godges