The Great Lakes, which cover more than 95,000 square miles across the United States and Canada, are a hub of commercial and recreational activity and a major source of fresh water for both countries. Although oil spills are less frequent in this region than in other U.S. coastal locations, planning for spills is essential. A new RAND study looks at the risk of oil spills in the Great Lakes region and assesses current U.S. response capabilities. The findings suggest that the Coast Guard and private organizations are very well positioned to respond to spills in most Great Lakes locations. However, better communication, information-sharing, and public education can improve oil spill response procedures. Read more »

In an effort to take control of large portions of the South China Sea, China uses “gray zone” tactics such as maritime aggression, cyber operations, economic coercion, and online propaganda. (Beijing views these actions as a continuation of politics and purposefully designs them to remain below the threshold of war.) A new RAND report identifies ways the United States can counter and deter such operations. These include proactively releasing intelligence to publicize China's aggressive behavior, building the capacity of U.S. military partners in Southeast Asia, and potentially employing non-lethal weapons. Read more »