As the Pentagon focuses on preparing for a potential U.S.-China conflict, it's important to understand how China’s military thinks about command and control.
RAND researchers examine this critical issue in a new report. They focus on the prospect of China shifting away from its traditional centralized command and adopting mission command. Under this new system, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would allow subordinates to make decisions within guidelines set by superiors.
This change would have a “dramatic effect on the course of a future U.S.-China conflict,” the authors write. For example, mission command could lead to more-aggressive, uncoordinated behavior by the PLA during a crisis. It could also complicate U.S. military planning and challenge existing U.S. operational concepts.
The authors offer several recommendations for U.S. military leaders to navigate and manage these implications. For instance, the Pentagon should ensure that its operational concepts will succeed against multiple Chinese approaches to command. American military leaders should also continue engaging with their counterparts in China on crisis management.
No one knows exactly how AI will reshape the job market. But so far, RAND experts say, AI appears to be creating jobs rather than cutting them. Whether that continues may depend on the pace of AI adoption. Slow, uneven uptake isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If businesses are being thoughtful and deliberate about how best to integrate AI, then it could create a “window for workers to adapt,” our researchers write, “and for policymakers to manage what lies ahead.”
Summer programs do more than fill kids’ free time. They provide opportunities to learn, feel safe, eat well, receive mentoring, and much more. Despite widespread recognition on their value, funding for these programs is at risk. A new RAND paper reviews the evidence on K–12 summer learning and offers insights to help policymakers and educators create, sustain, and expand these vital opportunities.
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