Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Jan. 13, 2026
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A Bold Strategy to Recapture Technology Leadership
Science and technology leadership lies at the heart of the U.S.-China rivalry. In a new paper, RAND's Michael Mazarr outlines a bold strategy to help Washington regain the edge over Beijing, which has taken the lead in many advanced technologies and is catching up in others.
According to Mazarr, the United States should invest in large-scale experiments to create or perfect new generations of technologies that leapfrog current approaches. For example, instead of competing directly with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei in global cellular networks, the United States could pioneer superior post-5G technologies. Similar approaches could apply to semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care diagnostics.
Multilateralism is key. By teaming up with other countries--from leading democratic powers in Europe and East Asia, to developing nations with emerging tech sectors--the United States can strengthen its odds of achieving a breakthrough in transformative technology.
While this "leapfrog strategy" comes with significant risks and will require further analysis, it may be the best way to secure technology leadership for the United States. The alternative, confronting China's brute strength head-on, is "a losing bet," Mazarr says.
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Can Armenia and Azerbaijan Achieve Lasting Peace?
Last summer, President Donald Trump mediated a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to RAND Europe's William Dunbar, this agreement could transform the long-standing conflict between the two countries, opening up trade routes that bypass Russia and Iran. But constitutional and geopolitical challenges may stand in the way. "If the West wants to claim a rare diplomatic victory in the Caucasus," Dunbar says, "sustained engagement will be required."
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“Un-Retiring” Could Help Solve Rural America's Labor Crisis
With thousands of vacant jobs, rural states need workers. One way to fill these positions, says RAND's David Luckey, is to make it easier for older Americans to keep working, or to "un-retire." Training programs, caregiving support, and tax incentives could encourage more experienced workers to remain in or rejoin the workforce. This could deliver a win-win: Older adults gain meaningful work, and rural economies receive the boost they need.
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** RAND Recommends
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- Most clicked last week: the 2025 RAND wrap-up highlights the research that defined our year.
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- National security and defense policy expert Jim Mitre has been appointed senior vice president and chief research officer at RAND.
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- The age of strategic globalization has begun, says RAND Europe's Francesca Ghiretti, and the European Union needs to decide what role it wants to play.
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** Events
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Is Europe Prepared for AGI?
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (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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