Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** June 25, 2024
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A Bridge for Ukraine into NATO

Building a bridge in wartime--what military planners call a wet-gap crossing--is an incredibly complex and risky operation. According to RAND's Ann Marie Dailey, understanding what it takes to succeed in these literal bridge-building efforts may offer valuable lessons for how to build a figurative bridge for Ukraine to join NATO.

For example, when attempting a wet-gap crossing, military leaders carefully plan, rehearse, prepare forces, and conduct a preparatory campaign to establish favorable conditions. Similarly, NATO member states should begin preparing for Ukraine's membership now, Dailey says, by whipping together votes in favor of Ukrainian accession. Otherwise, Kyiv could be left in strategic limbo.

And while having a solid plan is key, committing to it may be even more important. In a wet-gap crossing, a commander must leverage all forces available to make the plan a success. In the same way, NATO must fully commit itself to Ukrainian membership, says Dailey; anything less is likely to lead to failure.

"If NATO nations are truly serious about bringing Ukraine into NATO," she writes, "then creating a bridge to NATO cannot just be a clever diplomatic metaphor."

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** More on NATO: For more insights from RAND experts as NATO's July summit in Washington approaches, visit [link removed].


Talented Young Tech Workers Should Be Hired by Uncle Sam

As tech giants tighten their belts and hire fewer workers, the U.S. government has an unprecedented opportunity to level up its workforce, says RAND's Nelson Lim. To capitalize on this moment, federal agencies could target a specific group: graduates from excellent computer science programs at non-elite universities. The government should also consider removing barriers to attracting and retaining top talent, such as cumbersome job applications, prolonged security clearances, and an overemphasis on prior government experience, Lim says. "By targeting overlooked graduates and rolling out the red carpet, the government can build a pipeline of tech talent for the digital age."

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What Role Would 'Middle Powers' Play in a China-Taiwan Conflict?

Middle powers are nations that are not small but lack the size and influence to significantly disrupt the global order. However, these countries can impact international affairs through mediation and institution-building; they can also play a balancing role between adversarial great powers. A new RAND report considers the potential role of four middle-power countries--Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom--in deterring or limiting a conflict between China and Taiwan. Overall, the authors find that middle-power involvement in a cross-Strait conflict would likely be confined to diplomatic support for Taiwan and endorsement of U.S. sanctions on China.

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** Events
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Pardee RAND Admissions Webinar: Master of National Security Policy Overview
Thursday, June 27, 2024, and Tuesday, July 9, 2024 (Online)
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Policy Lab: Reconstructing Ukraine
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 (Online)
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