More than 50 years after humans last walked on the Moon, China is working steadily toward landing its own astronauts on the lunar surface. @randeurope.org's Marissa Martin discusses what's known about the mission—and what it might mean for America's status as a spacefaring nation.

"Conversations with political leaders and analysts during a recent trip to Ukraine reveal a grit perhaps akin to that of Londoners during the Battle of Britain and the Nazis' Blitz bombing campaign of 1940 and 1941." https://bit.ly/3X2XT1x

Is it possible to determine the effects of microschools on students? New report: https://bit.ly/4qPeH9I

New report assesses China's efforts to boost fertility:

Do microschools support student learning? Our new report explains why that question is difficult to answer:

A new RAND study finds: 🔸1 in 3 boys and young men lacks an adult man he can turn to for help with school or relationships. 🔸1 in 4 lacks an adult man who can help him plan his future. 🔸Boys from low‑income households are even less likely to have access to male mentors. https://bit.ly/3JNuANs

China's government has implemented a range of pronatalist policies aimed at reversing fertility decline. Have these policies worked? And what lessons might they offer for U.S. policymakers?

New study: 1 in 8 young people use AI chatbots for mental health advice. More than 93% report finding the advice helpful.

How can West Virginia better align its career technical education programs with workforce needs? New report from the RAND Rural America Partnership, which delivers research and recommendations to improve lives in rural communities: https://bit.ly/48eaa9u

Now recruiting ➡️ post-doctoral students, tenure track junior faculty, or doctoral students studying nuclear security. Spend a year working at RAND on policy-relevant research with the Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows Program. Apply by December 15.

The total federal debt of the United States passed a new milestone recently, reaching $38 trillion for the first time. But this isn't the first time the U.S. has faced a massive debt burden. RAND experts discuss: https://bit.ly/3Jhts4s

If there was strong evidence that China was about to invade or blockade Taiwan, what economic measures might help deter that aggression? How might those measures influence China's actions—and affect the global economic system? New report ⤵️

About 1 in 8 adolescents and young adults use AI for mental health advice. The low cost, immediacy, and perceived privacy of AI chatbots likely contribute to these rates, particularly among youth who are unlikely to receive traditional counseling.

China is the world's manufacturing powerhouse. Could it extend that dominance to the software realm?

If Russian attack drones are not the true problem for Europe, then what is? RAND's Ann Marie Dailey explains ⤵ https://bit.ly/3LHU1AA

"We tackled our debt burden in the past, and we can do it again." RAND experts discuss approaches for reducing the federal debt:

Sanctions and other restrictive economic measures are part of the deterrence toolkit. But their timing, effectiveness, and desirability are uncertain. Our new report examines the use of economic measures to help forestall a Chinese invasion of Taiwan: https://bit.ly/3XddZFB

Want to spend your summer working on public policy research with RAND experts? Apply to our Graduate Student Summer Associate Program by Monday, 12/1:

China's early success in global AI competition, bolstered by continued massive state investment and other advantages, could help it extend its dominance in international markets for manufactured goods to the software realm. RAND experts explain. ⬇️

It's increasingly common for veterans to receive health care from non-VA providers. Does this model meet veterans' needs? New episode of Policy Minded: https://bit.ly/4i2CTSg

New data can help shape policies that address veterans' needs, close gaps in support, and foster better understanding of the veteran population and their families. ⬇️

About 15% of young people in middle and high school eventually become disconnected—that is, not engaged in school, training, or work—by ages 18 to 24. Here are the factors that predict disconnection among youth: https://bit.ly/3WZrKbb

"To me, Veterans Day is an opportunity to really be grateful for the role that those who have served in the military have played in helping to strengthen our country. It is not an easy thing to volunteer to serve the country, and we ask an awful lot of these individuals." https://bit.ly/47PKrCR

This new report maps the progress of military service-related traumatic brain injury research: https://bit.ly/47NiueX

How well do military skills translate to jobs in the civilian workforce? What is the health care experience like for veterans? How much do we know about the needs of veteran families? Listen to a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. ⬇️

A new RAND report offers fresh insights into the lives of America’s veterans—their demographics, mental health, employment, education, and more. On #VeteransDay, read the report and share with anyone working to support veterans: https://bit.ly/4qU6pNK

Expert: In a future conflict, Beijing's deeply held worries about potential U.S. decapitation attempts could drive escalation. "Chinese misinterpretation of U.S. actions could lead to an escalation spiral, including Chinese nuclear first use."

RAND's Heather Schwartz leads a team that studies everything from classrooms and careers to housing affordability and infrastructure—and how it's all connected. "Neighborhood policy is school policy," she says. "The challenges outside the school walls walk right in with the students."

Young people who are neither in school nor working face challenges that can lead to lower lifetime earnings, poorer health, and lower socioeconomic outcomes. Who are these "disconnected" youth? And what early-life factors precede disconnection? https://bit.ly/4qIgIo7

In Gaza, 62% of housing is gone or beyond repair, and more is damaged. After all the destruction, where can Gazans live? Experts outline a comprehensive plan for post-conflict housing: https://bit.ly/4qArIUx

"This may sound far-fetched to Americans, but there is very strong evidence that Beijing really does worry about U.S. decapitation strikes."

New survey results suggest that Americans care strongly about the U.S. maintaining its competitive edge over China. ⬇️

There's widespread recognition that summer is an opportunity to advance developmental goals for kids. But funding for summer programming is at risk. New paper explores what makes summer programs effective—and strategies to sustain them:

In a potential future conflict, how would China's military command and control its forces? New research explores what it might mean for the U.S. if the PLA adopts mission command as the preferred approach to command, in contrast to its traditional centralized command. https://bit.ly/4oPu7ZI

If you've ever wondered how the places we live, learn, and work are all connected, RAND's Heather Schwartz has some answers.

The rapid growth of AI is putting unprecedented pressure on U.S. data centers and straining the electric grid. What are the barriers to expanding grid capacity? And how can stakeholders overcome those barriers?

Losing someone to overdose is painful. And stigma can make it even harder to cope. What can be done to help? RAND's Alison Athey discusses in a new episode of Policy Minded. https://bit.ly/3WP7VTw

Anticipated growth in the development of AI capabilities will require a rapid increase in U.S. electric power capacity. New RAND research outlines ways to tackle barriers to scaling the power grid. ⤵️

"We are on the verge of deploying AI not just as a tool, but as an active partner in our most important work… But we aren't prepared to harness this potential." https://bit.ly/47B6PA7

RAND experts describe how six ideas from the social contract tradition can help America navigate the socioeconomic challenges brought forth by AI. https://bit.ly/3J8VfDZ

"Housing the Gazans will require a radical new approach to post-war reconstruction. But it is possible." https://bit.ly/3LhVsFu

America's ERs face insufficient capacity, growing patient demand, and declining payments. What can be done to sustain emergency care as we know it? https://bit.ly/3JA2ogL

More than 40% of U.S. adults personally know someone who died by overdose, and many know *more than one* person. RAND's Alison Athey discusses these tragic numbers in a new episode of Policy Minded:

We're pleased to announce the launch of the Veterans Insight Panel, a partnership between RAND and @norc.org. This new resource will capture what most veteran research misses: the voices of veterans who aren't already connected to services from the VA.

New report suggests that Americans care strongly about the U.S. maintaining its competitive edge over China in the race to develop AI.

High-quality summer programs can build skills and interests and result in positive outcomes for youth. New paper offers recommendations for creating and sustaining quality programs:

How could the United States realistically reduce its debt—and avoid trillions of dollars in interest payments? New report explores: https://bit.ly/4mSnLaB

"As encouraging as these developments are, there is much serious work to be done to convert the framework's acceptance into a pathway to durable peace." RAND's Charles Ries on how to make President Trump's 20-point Gaza plan work:

"If you rebuild [Gaza] now the way they did in 2014 and 2021, it will take 80 years," says RAND's Shelly Culbertson. "If there's good planning, it could take less time." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5e4ee9r13o

"As technologies grow more capable, the question becomes fundamentally constitutional: Will AI be used to fulfill the promise of American democracy, or will it be allowed to create the kind of concentrated power that the founders designed the Constitution to prevent?" https://bit.ly/4hiYYLO