August 2016

Wages and Compensation

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College Education No Panacea for Worker Inequality Woes
The earnings gap between high school and college graduates has grown with each generation, but even a college degree does not ensure a good income. Just as the nature of jobs for high school graduates has been changing due to consolidation, trade, and technology, the quality of employment for college graduates is beginning to shift.
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Aug 31, 2016
The RAND Blog
Carter C. Price @CarterCPrice

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Eliminating Jobs or Strengthening the Economy? The Impact of Trade Policies on the American Worker
The enormous benefits of trade include economic growth, more variety for industry and consumers, and lower prices. But trade can displace some American workers. Training programs, relocation assistance, and wage insurance can help.
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Aug 30, 2016
The RAND Blog
Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
People with Disabilities

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Accommodation for Disabled Workers: Knowledge of Rights a Good Start
With a 36 percent chance of becoming disabled at least once before reaching age 50, it is imperative that workers know their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the resources available to help them.
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Aug 29, 2016
The RAND Blog
Kathleen J. Mullen
Russia

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The West Must Do Far More to Keep Putin at Bay
Russia is more willing than the West to use military power, even though it has less of it. The West should reconsider whether its efforts to deter Russian military interference are enough.
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Aug 27, 2016
Newsweek
William Courtney @courtneywmh, David A. Shlapak
Veterans Employment

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From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Transferring Veterans' Skills to the Civilian Labor Market
The number of returning veterans is expected to grow to 4.2 million over the next decade. This robust talent pool can be an asset to the civilian workforce. Investments in translating veterans' skills, certification and licensing, and comprehensive career counseling can improve this transition.
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Aug 26, 2016
The RAND Blog
Kimberly Curry Hall
Emerging Technologies

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'Star Trek' at 50: How the TV Series Inspired a Boy to Become a Scientist
William Marcellino discusses how “Star Trek” convinced him at an early age that science and the advancement of human knowledge could make the world a better place.
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Aug 26, 2016
Los Angeles Times
William Marcellino
Terrorist Organizations

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Why Syria's War May Be About to Get Even Worse
Whether or not Jabhat Fateh al-Sham's new name means a genuine break from its parent organization al Qaeda, the mere rebranding could prolong Syria's civil war. The worst-case scenario is that the group could embed itself within the rebel opposition in Syria the way Hezbollah did in Lebanon.
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Aug 25, 2016
Reuters
Colin P. Clarke, Chad C. Serena
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Living Longer, Working Longer
When people live longer, the costs of Social Security and Medicare increase and threaten the sustainability of these programs. Households also worry about how to finance more retirement years. But people are working longer, and if they continue to do so, they will reduce some of the problems.
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Aug 25, 2016
The RAND Blog
Michael D. Hurd, Susann Rohwedder
Vocational Education

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Getting Technical: Preparing High School Students for the Workforce America Needs
Fields such as computers, engineering, and health care are expected to grow. Employers and policymakers have a vested interest in ensuring that America's high schoolers are ready to meet future employment needs. Access to high-quality career and technical education programs is key.
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Aug 25, 2016
The Hill
Gabriella C. Gonzalez, Robert Bozick
Cybercrime

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The Future of Cyber Investigations at the FBI Is Unclear
Evidence presented by the FBI in the case of U.S. v. Jay Michaud was excluded because the agency was unwilling to reveal the software exploit used to collect it. If the FBI exposes its capabilities, other criminals can patch their computers, but concealing its techniques risks the ability to prosecute cyber criminals.
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Aug 24, 2016
Inside Sources
Sasha Romanosky, Cortney Weinbaum @cortney_dc
Turkey

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What Erdogan and Khomeini Have in Common
The analogy between Islamist Iran and a possibly soon-to-be Islamist Turkey is not perfect. But there are striking similarities between the state of affairs in Turkey today and the 1979 revolution in Iran that established the Islamic Republic.
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Aug 24, 2016
Foreign Policy
Alireza Nader
Technical Professions

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Back to Work: Middle-Skill Jobs in the STEM Economy
The STEM economy will grow by 17 percent through 2018, with expected job vacancies totaling 2.4 million. Middle-skill STEM jobs—such as computer support specialists, web developers, and engineering technicians—are in the highest demand.
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Aug 24, 2016
The RAND Blog
Gabriella C. Gonzalez, Robert Bozick
Globalization

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Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses
Three trends have important implications for the future of work: a shifting demography toward older workers, more women, and more diversity; continuing technological change that will increase the demand for skilled workers; and increased globalization.
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Aug 23, 2016
The RAND Blog
Lynn A. Karoly, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)

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Demystifying the Islamic State
To counter the threat posed by the Islamic State group, it is crucial to understand what the terrorist organization is and what it is not. Attributing all jihadist violence to a ruthless gang headquartered in Raqqa exaggerates the power of the group and plays into their propaganda and recruiting efforts.
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Aug 23, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
Andrew Liepman, Colin P. Clarke
Counterterrorism

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President Obama's Controversial Legacy as Counterterrorism-in-Chief
There were no attacks like 9/11 during Obama's eight years in office. But there were plenty of terrorist adversaries. While he will be judged in part for his domestic achievements, Obama's counterterrorism choices are a major part of his legacy.
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Aug 22, 2016
The Mark News
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Al Qaida

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A Persistent and Resilient Adversary: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
The history of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula catalogues every dimension of frustration in combatting terrorism. But is it possible that the United States and its Gulf allies are finally getting the measure of AQAP?
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Aug 22, 2016
The Cipher Brief
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins