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The NATO alliance served its participants well in countering the strategic threat once posed by the Soviet Union, but the rise of other regional powers and coalitions since end of the Cold War has prompted a reevaluation of existing alliances. RAND research has provided policymakers with essential information on how best to forge new defense cooperation agreements and strengthen old alliances to counter emerging security threats.

Report

Friends, Foes, and Future Directions: U.S. Partnerships in a Turbulent World

Jan 5, 2016

How should the United States manage its relationships with partners and adversaries in a world of shrinking defense budgets and reduced political will for international engagement?
Report

Countering ISIL Requires a Stronger U.S.-Coalition Strategy

Apr 20, 2016

While the campaign against ISIL has degraded the group by targeting its leadership and retaking a portion of territory, achieving lasting defeat of ISIL in Iraq and Syria will require increased effort by the U.S. to help train local forces to hold territory. Also, political agreements must be forged to resolve key drivers of conflict among Iraqis and Syrians.

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Report

How Are European Countries Vulnerable to Russia?

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has highlighted potential threats to NATO and the EU. But European countries differ in how susceptible they are to possible Russian actions.

Jan 18, 2017
Commentary

Mali's Persistent Jihadist Problem

The 2013 French intervention in Mali averted an al Qaeda-backed thrust toward the capital of Bamako and reduced the threat from other jihadist groups. To ensure a new threat does not materialize in Mali, France will need staying power and support from its European partners and the U.S.

Jan 12, 2017
Commentary

Iran Is at Putin's Mercy

Russia and Iran have forged an unprecedented, but fragile alliance in the Middle East. But there's no guarantee that Putin won't sell Iran out if he manages to forge better U.S. relations under Trump.

Jan 12, 2017
Commentary

No Quick Fix with Russia

A series of small steps is more likely to improve Western and Russian security than an attempt at a total reset. At the same time, sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, and NATO actions to reassure and protect allies, must continue.

Jan 3, 2017
Commentary

Hidden Dangers of Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem

Moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would antagonize partners in the Islamic world who are key to fighting ISIS and other extremists. And any potential cooperation that might have developed between Israel and Arab states over common concerns about Iran could suffer.

Dec 28, 2016
Commentary

Crime and Terror in Europe: Where the Nexus Is Alive and Well

The idea of a crime-terror nexus does appear to be a major threat in Europe, where terrorists and criminals now recruit from the same milieu. Coperation between European law enforcement and intelligence agencies is critical.

Dec 15, 2016
Commentary

The Risks of an Accelerating Rivalry Between China and Japan

China and Japan have a long history of antagonism but their competition for influence in Asia has recently expanded in the economic, diplomatic, and security domains. The U.S., although a staunch ally of Japan, has served as a mediator. Weakening the U.S. role could aggravate Sino-Japanese tensions to a destabilizing degree.

Dec 12, 2016
News Release

News Release

China Invests Warily in Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to become more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
Commentary

Can Trump Make a Deal with Putin?

If executed properly, President-elect Trump's diplomacy could help reverse a destabilizing downward spiral in U.S.-Russian relations and create a vision of what normal relations might entail.

Dec 5, 2016
Report

China Invests Warily in the Middle East

China endeavors to protect its expanding interests in the Middle East by not taking sides in conflicts and controversies. The United States should encourage China to get more involved in efforts to improve regional stability while reassuring partners of its own commitment to the region.

Dec 5, 2016
Commentary

'If You Want Peace, Prepare for Resistance'

The government of Lithuania issued a guide on how its citizens can resist a potential Russian invasion and occupation. Resistance is a key element of the “Total Defense” strategy which all three Baltic states have been pursuing to varying degrees, spurred on by Russian aggression in Crimea and elsewhere.

Nov 22, 2016
Commentary

Can Trump Really Do Deals with Putin?

Russia is a declining economic power whose foreign policy has led to isolation and criticism. But Putin may have an inflated sense of Russia's importance and expect one-sided U.S. concessions. If so, diplomacy could run into headwinds early in the Trump administration.

Nov 21, 2016
Commentary

The Turkish-Russian Rapprochement: How Real? How Durable?

The recent strengthening of ties between Turkey and Russia may represent more of an economic marriage of convenience than a deeply rooted political alliance. On a number of important issues, particularly the Syrian conflict, the two nations have very different interests and priorities.

Nov 21, 2016
Commentary

Is the U.S. Abandoning the World Order It Created?

In the 20th century the United States created and expanded a world order that has provided security and prosperity—and it has borne much of the cost for sustaining it. Can that liberal global order be updated rather than jettisoned?

Nov 14, 2016
Commentary

China's Actions Are Causing U.S. 'Militarization' of the Pacific

Beijing's aggression in the Asia-Pacific is threatening key U.S. allies, causing America to respond. Any change in U.S. policy must be based on changes in Chinese behavior.

Nov 3, 2016
Announcement

Kepe Moderates Riga Conference Panel on Ambiguous Threats

RAND Europe analyst Marta Kepe moderated a RAND Europe-hosted panel at the annual Riga Conference. The topic was 'Dealing with Ambiguous Threats in the Nordic Baltic Region’.

Nov 1, 2016
Commentary

The Legacy Obama Leaves His Successor in Asia

The U.S. pivot to the Indo-Pacific has improved U.S. popularity and influence, and positioned it for gains in regional economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation. The incoming administration would be wise to embrace these gains and build on them to preserve and further develop U.S. interests and influence in the region.

Oct 26, 2016
Commentary

The Made-in-America Global Security and Economic System Still Serves U.S. Interests

The next U.S. president will have many willing partners and an opportunity to expand the global system of security and economic institutions in a way that will help the United States and the world for decades.

Oct 26, 2016
Commentary

What Ukraine Urgently Needs to Defend Itself

Many think that the United States should do more to help Ukraine defend itself. Analysis points to the potential of U.S. support for fundamental reform of Ukraine's security sector.

Oct 16, 2016
Commentary

Transatlantic Relations After Obama

The Obama era will be remembered as the time when America's leadership role in Europe began to shift. Europeans got more freedom of action, but could no longer outsource their foreign and military responsibilities to Washington. Whether Clinton or Trump is elected president, Europe will have to do more.

Oct 14, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Security Cooperation

Topic Synonyms:
Defense Cooperation

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