Non-lethal weapons can be used to influence an adversary's behavior by causing temporary, reversible effects. For example, an acoustic hailing device generates irritating sounds, a laser dazzler creates distracting glare, and various electronic and mechanical systems can halt vehicles or vessels. However, there has been little analysis regarding how the United States could or should deploy such capabilities. A new RAND report aims to fill this gap by exploring the potential use of non-lethal weapons in a wide range of scenarios, including gray-zone situations, civilian encounters, and full-scale combat. Read more »

Since the pandemic, rates of business creation in the United States have increased dramatically, with many new entrepreneurs starting online retail businesses. RAND researchers examine this trend in a new working paper. They find that the relatively low costs involved with doing business online—as well as the tools available through web-based platforms—appear to be critical to helping entrepreneurs get started. Online platforms have especially helped people who are Black, female, and younger. By lowering the barriers to entry for business ownership, these platforms have enabled “a new type of entrepreneur,” says RAND's Lisa Abraham. Read more »