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Policy Currents

The Policy Currents podcast highlights new research findings, commentary, multimedia, and events from the RAND Corporation. Hosted by Evan Banks and Deanna Lee, with new episodes every Friday.

Ranked #1

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Responding to Russian subversion, the first supervised drug consumption site in the U.S., artificial intelligence, and more.

Responding to Russian subversion, the first supervised drug consumption site in the U.S., artificial intelligence, and more.

We discuss Russia’s subversive activities; how supportive housing can help keep people with mental illness out of jail; ... Read more

28 Feb 2020

6mins

Ranked #2

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Effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, using drones to deliver blood, a Q&A on climate policy, and more.

Effects of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, using drones to deliver blood, a Q&A on climate policy, and more.

We discuss the effects of the abrupt U.S. withdrawal from Syria; how drones could help get blood to soldiers who need it... Read more

25 Oct 2019

7mins

Similar Podcasts

Ranked #3

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RAND experts on the killing of Qassem Soleimani, breaking down Kim Jong Un’s latest threat, opioid settlement funds, and more.

RAND experts on the killing of Qassem Soleimani, breaking down Kim Jong Un’s latest threat, opioid settlement funds, and more.

We discuss the killing of Iranian Major General Qassim Suleimani; what Kim Jong Un’s latest threat means; where to direc... Read more

3 Jan 2020

12mins

Ranked #4

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The future of fentanyl, taking action to address mass shootings, teaching teen girls about national security, and more.

The future of fentanyl, taking action to address mass shootings, teaching teen girls about national security, and more.

We discuss why fentanyl and other synthetic opioids represent a different kind of drug crisis; what can be done now to a... Read more

30 Aug 2019

9mins

Most Popular Podcasts

Ranked #5

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The Most Popular RAND Research from 2019

The Most Popular RAND Research from 2019

We discuss RAND’s top research projects from the year: how “Medicare for All” might affect health care spending in the U... Read more

27 Dec 2019

9mins

Ranked #6

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What Americans spend on illegal drugs, back-to-school tips from a sleep expert, why tariffs on China aren’t working, and more.

What Americans spend on illegal drugs, back-to-school tips from a sleep expert, why tariffs on China aren’t working, and more.

We discuss how much Americans spend on illegal drugs; how a sleep researcher gets her kids ready to go back to school; t... Read more

23 Aug 2019

7mins

Ranked #7

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Iran’s efforts to spy on the U.S., how to improve terrorism prevention, the costs of Russia’s foreign policy decisions, and more.

Iran’s efforts to spy on the U.S., how to improve terrorism prevention, the costs of Russia’s foreign policy decisions, and more.

We discuss a former U.S. intelligence officer charged with spying for Iran; national efforts to reduce the risk of terro... Read more

22 Feb 2019

8mins

Ranked #8

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Iran, Iraq, and the death of Soleimani, plus new RAND research.

Iran, Iraq, and the death of Soleimani, plus new RAND research.

We discuss insights from RAND experts on Iran, Iraq, and the death of Soleimani; plus new RAND research on Russia’s host... Read more

10 Jan 2020

7mins

Ranked #9

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China’s 70th anniversary, why women belong in wargaming, challenges facing U.S. Army families, and more.

China’s 70th anniversary, why women belong in wargaming, challenges facing U.S. Army families, and more.

We discuss what the future holds for China; the importance of gender diversity in wargaming; how Army families address l... Read more

4 Oct 2019

8mins

Ranked #10

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The growing criminalization of America’s youth, the Trump-Kim summit, how cities can prepare for climate change, and more.

The growing criminalization of America’s youth, the Trump-Kim summit, how cities can prepare for climate change, and more.

We discuss rising arrest rates among young Americans; U.S.-North Korea relations; how cities can prepare for the impacts... Read more

1 Mar 2019

7mins

Ranked #11

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The coronavirus intensifies, cyber threats from drones, Truth Decay and the media, and more.

The coronavirus intensifies, cyber threats from drones, Truth Decay and the media, and more.

We discuss insights from RAND experts on the coronavirus; how drones are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape; protecti... Read more

6 Mar 2020

10mins

Ranked #12

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Medicare for 50-to-64-year-olds, how to assess climate change plans, antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” and more.

Medicare for 50-to-64-year-olds, how to assess climate change plans, antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” and more.

We discuss what would happen if Americans could buy into Medicare at 50; tips to help voters assess climate change plans... Read more

22 Nov 2019

7mins

Ranked #13

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Why estimates of COVID-19's fatality rate might keep changing, limiting out-of-network payments to hospitals, RAND's fundraising campaign, and more.

Why estimates of COVID-19's fatality rate might keep changing, limiting out-of-network payments to hospitals, RAND's fundraising campaign, and more.

We discuss the challenge of estimating the fatality rate for the new coronavirus; how capping out-of-network payments to... Read more

13 Mar 2020

8mins

Ranked #14

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Gun policy after El Paso and Dayton, maintaining America’s role in the Pacific, following ISIS’s financial trail, and more.

Gun policy after El Paso and Dayton, maintaining America’s role in the Pacific, following ISIS’s financial trail, and more.

We discuss what scientific evidence tells us about the effects of gun laws; how the United States can maintain its influ... Read more

9 Aug 2019

7mins

Ranked #15

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Transforming U.S. workforce development for the 21st century, the evidence on “stand your ground” laws, the teen vaping epidemic, and more.

Transforming U.S. workforce development for the 21st century, the evidence on “stand your ground” laws, the teen vaping epidemic, and more.

We discuss why U.S. workforce development needs an overhaul; whether “stand your ground” laws prevent or exacerbate viol... Read more

20 Sep 2019

7mins

Ranked #16

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U.S.-Turkish relations, helping commercial airports meet rising demand, overhauling America’s education and employment system, and more.

U.S.-Turkish relations, helping commercial airports meet rising demand, overhauling America’s education and employment system, and more.

We discuss how Turkey's nationalist course affects U.S.-Turkish relations; helping America’s airports prepare for increa... Read more

17 Jan 2020

7mins

Ranked #17

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How Americans consume the news, U.S.–Iranian relations, Louisiana’s education reforms, and more.

How Americans consume the news, U.S.–Iranian relations, Louisiana’s education reforms, and more.

We discuss new data on where and how Americans get their news; whether Iran’s domestic turmoil will affect its foreign p... Read more

13 Dec 2019

9mins

Ranked #18

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The State of the Union, how voting might improve your health, coronavirus, and more.

The State of the Union, how voting might improve your health, coronavirus, and more.

We discuss insights from RAND on the State of the Union; how civic engagement might improve physical and mental health; ... Read more

7 Feb 2020

9mins

Ranked #19

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Tools to fight disinformation online, the negative consequences of punishing pregnant women for drug use, how to ensure public trust in artificial intelligence, and more.

Tools to fight disinformation online, the negative consequences of punishing pregnant women for drug use, how to ensure public trust in artificial intelligence, and more.

We discuss what’s being done to fight disinformation online; the unintended consequences of policies that punish pregnan... Read more

16 Nov 2019

7mins

Ranked #20

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What the U.S. can do about Hong Kong, Russia’s strategy in the Middle East, medical marijuana, and more.

What the U.S. can do about Hong Kong, Russia’s strategy in the Middle East, medical marijuana, and more.

We discuss steps the Trump administration can take to prevent an escalation of violence in Hong Kong; Russia’s limits in... Read more

6 Dec 2019

8mins

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