Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Oct. 7, 2025
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Finding a Way Forward for Israel and Gaza: Q&A with Shira Efron
Two years after Hamas's attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, many urgent questions persist. What could improve conditions on the ground? What might prevent further escalation across the Middle East? And what would it take to finally achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians?
RAND's Shira Efron says the immediate priority is reaching a ceasefire, likely one that starts as temporary but can become permanent. That needs to be paired with a plan for the "day after." Efron notes that many agree on the key principles laid out in President Trump's proposed framework, including a transitional administration, real reforms, and a political horizon for Palestinians. However, "the devil is in the details," she says.
The main obstacle, says Efron, is the deep "fear and lack of trust" between Israelis and Palestinians. To overcome this, both sides must accept that security and prosperity for one does not have to come at the expense of the other. With that understanding, there may be a path forward.
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More on the Middle East
Earlier this year, RAND released a suite of research [[link removed]] that provides pragmatic ideas for those seeking to address the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bring stability to the region. Topics include
- pathways to a durable Israeli-Palestinian peace [link removed]
- a new approach to post-conflict shelter in Gaza [link removed]
- a spatial vision for Gaza and the West Bank. [link removed]
Modernizing the Electric Grid for the Age of AI
America's power grid faces a massive test: the rapidly escalating energy demands of AI. Much of the grid's infrastructure is more than 25 years old. Upgrading it will take at least a decade. But according to RAND's Ismael Arciniegas Rueda and Robin Wang of the RAND School of Public Policy, several actions could buy valuable time. These include fast-tracking projects that can quickly boost capacity and delaying the retirement of older thermal plants where it's safe and responsible to do so.
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Post-Pandemic Medicaid Changes and Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
After pandemic-era enhancements for Medicaid ended, states resumed normal enrollment procedures. This "unwinding" resulted in more than 25 million Americans disenrolling from Medicaid. According to a new RAND study, this process led to a rise in the number of people ending medication treatment for opioid use disorder and a decrease in those beginning treatment. "To sustain progress the nation has made against the opioid overdose crisis, it is essential to ensure that individuals who can benefit from life-saving medication continue to receive it," says lead author Bradley Stein.
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** RAND Recommends
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- Most clicked last week: a new RAND paper on how many American youth are disconnected--not engaging in school, training, or work.
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- Russian President Vladimir Putin turns 73 today. RAND Europe experts discuss why it's essential for the West to consider who might eventually succeed him.
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- RAND's Monika Cooper discusses how failures in procurement practices can affect AI integration.
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** Events
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RAND Europe Foresight Forum
Monday, October 13, 2025 (London)
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China's Economic Future
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (London)
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An Examination of Migration in Afghanistan
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (Online)
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The 'Big Shift' from Hospitals to Communities
Thursday, November 6, 2025 (Online)
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** Policy Minded, RAND's Flagship Podcast
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On Policy Minded, we pick the brains of the world's top policy experts. In each episode, RAND researchers join us for conversations that go beyond the headlines--bringing you insights you can't find anywhere else.
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