Policy Minded

Economics could help drive peace in Gaza; how the Israel-Hamas war has upended the terrorist threat matrix; preventing climate-related conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia; the failure of “crime-free housing” policies; and how to create productive police-community dialogues. For more information on this week’s episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Why the Oct. 7 attack wasn't Israel's 9/11; what history tells us about hostage crises; why it's time to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; and how to strengthen South Korea's nuclear assurance. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Could psychedelics become a viable therapy for treating veterans with PTSD or depression? What do we know about food insecurity among veterans? For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

How lies and misinformation will play a key role in the Israel-Hamas war; what North Korea might be learning from Hamas; a look at the evidence on how to address America's gun violence problem; and exploring supply models for recreational cannabis. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Two revolutionary technologies, machine learning and gene editing, are converging. This could transform how diseases are treated, how crops are grown, how wars are fought, and much more. RAND Europe research leader Sana Zakaria and RAND senior research engineer Timothy Marler join us to discuss this possible future—and the policy approaches needed to prepare for it.

This week, we break down what RAND researchers have to say about the Israel-Hamas war, including the challenges of an Israeli ground invasion, preventing civilian casualties, and Iran's and North Korea's potential involvement. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Scenarios that could lead to escalation of Russia's war in Ukraine; how much is "enough" for U.S. nuclear forces; why it's so difficult to estimate the costs of recovery from natural disasters; and the importance of education to help people detect deepfakes online. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Scenarios that could lead to escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine; how much is “enough” for U.S. nuclear forces; why it’s so difficult to estimate the costs of recovery from natural disasters; and the importance of education to help people detect deepfakes online. For more information on this week’s episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

In this special episode, host Evan Banks sits down with RAND researchers Heather Williams and Richard (Dic) Donohue. Williams, a former intelligence officer, and Donohue, a former police sergeant, recount their personal experiences with trauma and traumatic stress. They also discuss the work they do now, which focuses on what is needed to ensure intelligence and law enforcement professionals get the mental health support they need. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.

Most of America's teachers feel overworked and underpaid; why insomnia is a multibillion-dollar problem; helping overworked public defenders; why the United States and Israel may be on parallel paths; and how food insecurity and wildfire risk are connected. For more information on this week's episode, visit rand.org/podcast.