Residents carry boxes of free groceries distributed at a pop-up food pantry, Chelsea, Massachusetts, April 24, 2020. Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters

A Second Wave of Economic Destruction?

In the largest decline since 2008, the U.S. economy fell by 4.8 percent in the first quarter. And this isn't the only evidence to suggest that the United States will experience a prolonged recession as a result of COVID-19. According to RAND experts, negative consumer sentiment is another troubling sign. It could mean that Americans will take a long time to return to their former spending habits after the pandemic passes. If that happens, then the economic effects could take years to shake. Read more »

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Protecting Household Workers During the Pandemic

Many small businesses that can't meet their payroll due to COVID-19 are eligible for federal aid. But household employers are excluded. This affects hundreds of thousands of nannies, housekeepers, and others who are employed in private homes. How could the government help these workers? RAND experts say that policymakers could consider making direct payments to household employers who keep paying their employees. This could reduce the number of workers who join the unemployment rolls or feel compelled to work during the crisis. Read more »

Kim Jong Un sits in his vehicle after arriving at a railway station in Dong Dang, Vietnam, February 26, 2019. Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

North Korea After Kim: 'How' Matters More Than 'Who'

Rumors are swirling that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seriously ill, leaving many to ask who might succeed him. But this isn't the most important question, says RAND's Soo Kim. What matters more is what the new regime does to establish legitimacy and how the United States and its allies respond. If there is new leadership in Pyongyang, then Washington may be tempted to reset relations on a path toward normalization. But there are hazards to even exchanging pleasantries with any successors. Read more »

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What Do Americans Think of the News?

Facts are on the decline in U.S. public life—a phenomenon that RAND researchers call Truth Decay. This problem, which has become even more apparent during the pandemic, poses a threat to democracy as we know it. A recent RAND study seeks to better understand the issue by analyzing where Americans get their news, whether they think it's reliable, and more. The findings provide some clues about what it might take to ensure that data and analysis remain at the heart of public discourse. Read more »

Women at Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt, October 2008. Photo by Claudia Wiens/Alamy

Helping Egyptian Women Overcome Barriers to Employment

In Egypt, young women face persistent barriers to securing employment. It's likely that COVID-19 will only worsen these challenges, so what policies might help economically empower Egyptian women? A new RAND report outlines a number of recommendations, including subsidizing childcare; providing safe transportation for women; and reforming laws that address gender discrimination, mobility restrictions, and sexual harassment. Read more »