The United States sees China as a potentially destabilizing force in the Arctic. But there are opportunities to cooperate. — A Coast Guard cutter spotted the ships during a routine patrol of the Bering Sea, north of Alaska: a guided missile cruiser and two smaller ships from China, traveling in formation with four ships from Russia. The cutter followed until they split up and dispersed. The ships broke no rules…

It is important to understand how people with low qualifications and other marginalised groups might be able to access green jobs. — by Joanna Hofman More support and new initiatives may be needed for Green Transition so disadvantaged groups don’t fall behind In the debates around climate change and sustainability, discussions about the greening of the economy have become more prominent in recent years. Many countries have put in place national action plans and strategies to increase green job opportunities in their respective economies. …

A hackathon hosted by Pardee RAND and RAND NextGen explored ways to make the criminal justice system more equitable and more effective. — Dalton Favors had never given much thought to public policy. One hectic week of data wrangling with the Pardee RAND Graduate School changed that. “It made me rethink what I might want to do for a career,” he said. Favors is a student at Morehouse College, one of four historically…

Existing space treaties won’t be enough to keep satellites safe, prevent crowding and collisions, and preserve the promise of outer space. — A missile lifted off from a base in northwest Russia on a November morning in 2021. It hit its target several minutes later: a dead Russian satellite that had been orbiting uselessly since the 1980s. …

Three years after the SARS-COV-2 virus emerged in Wuhan, China is now facing a tsunami of COVID-19 infections. — by Jennifer Bouey Three years after the SARS-COV-2 virus emerged in Wuhan, China is now facing a tsunami of COVID-19 infections. The unprecedented spread of the disease appears to have been fueled by an ill-timed sudden change in COVID-19 policy and the lack of vaccination and boosting. …

This is a crucial time for policymakers to consider policies that focus on improving home ownership rates for African Americans. — by Jessica Welburn Paige Throughout much of America, the housing market is cratering, thanks to ever-higher interest rates. Fears of recession are in the air, too. And as is the case during all economic downturns, middle-class African Americans are at risk of being particularly hard-hit.

There are signs that the legal landscape for cannabis might be changing in Europe. — by Mafalda Pardal Since 2012, multiple jurisdictions have changed their laws (PDF) to legalize the production, possession, and use of cannabis for nonmedical purposes. While most of these changes took place in the Americas, there are signs that the European legal landscape might be changing too. In July 2022, ministers…

Six areas could be candidates not only to receive a greater prioritization of resources, but also greater scrutiny. — by Jeffrey W. Hornung On December 16th, the Japanese government looks set to release three important documents: a new National Security Strategy and two defense documents that lay out spending priorities over the next ten years and five years. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio recently ordered his finance and defense…

Air Force leaders and top national security experts gathered at the 2022 West Coast Aerospace Forum. — Even as the Russian military continues to struggle in Ukraine, Air Force leaders and top national security experts at the 2022 West Coast Aerospace Forum warned not to expect similar outcomes in a potential conflict with China. …