Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
Web version: [link removed]


** Nov. 7, 2023
The Effects of War Are Contagious

The Israel-Hamas war has already claimed thousands and thousands of victims--those who have been displaced, injured, killed, or robbed of a loved one. While the experiences of people directly impacted by the war are undoubtedly the most harrowing, it's important to remember that the effects of conflict also spread beyond the initial victims, says RAND's Douglas Yeung, a social psychologist.

As observers around the world flock to social media seeking information about the events in Israel and Gaza, they may encounter graphic images that can have serious negative impacts on their mental health and well-being. Such secondary trauma may be especially significant among adolescents and young adults, who already struggle mightily.


The global mental health effects of the Israel-Hamas war are only just beginning. "Like its casualties, they will likely be staggering," Yeung says. Social media companies "could and should do more to moderate the virality" of extreme content.

Read more: [link removed]


How Might AI Affect the Rise and Fall of Nations?

Nations across the globe could see their power rise or fall depending on how they harness and manage the development of artificial intelligence. A new RAND paper considers the ways that AI could transform geopolitics. The authors look at how countries and tech companies may clash as they compete for power, the race for AI dominance between the United States and China, regulatory challenges, and more. "We are entering an era of both enlightenment and chaos," they write.

Read more: [link removed]


Why Gender Diversity Matters in Military Missions

The Women, Peace, and Security Act was established in 2017 to promote the inclusion of women in overseas conflict prevention, management, and resolution, as well as post-conflict relief and recovery. (The policy framework was updated just last month, with potential implications for how the United States responds to the current Israel-Hamas conflict.) A recently published RAND report highlights why this legislation--and gender diversity overall--is key for U.S. military operations, activities, and investments.

Read more: [link removed]


** RAND Recommends
- The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today on whether the government can disarm people who are subject to restraining orders for domestic abuse. A recent RAND study revealed moderate evidence that such laws reduce total and firearm-related intimate-partner homicides.
[link removed]

- RAND's Gian Gentile spoke to NPR about Israel's ground war strategy in Gaza. He suspects that Israel may be able to achieve its stated objective of largely destroying Hamas, but that the civilian toll will be high.
[link removed]

- "China certainly has global ambitions," RAND's Raymond Kuo told Axios, "but I don't think it has global military ambitions the way the U.S. does."
[link removed]


** Events

Veterans in Today's Housing Market
Thursday, November 16, 2023 (Online)
[link removed]

Policy Lab: Supporting Veterans After the Yellow Ribbons Fade
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 (Online)
[link removed]


** Subscribe to the Policy Currents Podcast
You already get the latest insights from RAND in your inbox. Why not your earbuds? Policy Currents is available as a weekly podcast. New episodes every Friday.

Subscribe now: [link removed]


** About RAND
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.

Follow RAND:
Twitter: [link removed]
Facebook: [link removed]
LinkedIn: [link removed]
Instagram: [link removed]


Privacy statement
[link removed]

Unsubscribe
[link removed]

Manage your subscriptions
[link removed]

RAND Corporation
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401-3208

RAND is a registered trademark.