Who is RAND?
The RAND Corporation is a non-profit research organization founded in 1948 by the U.S. Air Force. It was created to provide research and analysis to the military and has since expanded to cover a wide range of policy issues, including national security, energy, education, and health. RAND\’s research is conducted by over 1,000 researchers located in offices throughout the world and its headquarters is in Santa Monica, California. It is known for its interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and its use of advanced analytical techniques and mathematical models.
What are they about?
The RAND Corporation was founded in 1948 by the U.S. Air Force as a research organization to provide policy analysis for the military. It was established with the goal of providing high-quality research and analysis to support decision-making in the national security arena in the United States. Over time, RAND expanded its focus to cover a wide range of policy areas, including education, health, energy, and international affairs.1
One of the key features of RAND\’s approach to research is its interdisciplinary approach, which draws on expertise from multiple fields to address complex policy challenges. RAND is also known for its use of advanced analytical techniques and mathematical models to inform its policy recommendations.
Throughout its history, RAND has been at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to problem solving, and has produced influential research on a wide range of policy issues. Some of its notable contributions include research on nuclear deterrence, national security strategy, healthcare reform, and education policy.
RAND is a non-profit organization and operates as an independent think tank, with its researchers conducting policy analysis and claims to do research without outside influence or any political biases whatsoever. RAND\’s research is widely respected and is often cited by policymakers, academics, and the media as a credible source of information and analysis on a wide range of policy issues.
Today, RAND has over 1,000 researchers located in offices throughout the world, and its headquarters is in Santa Monica, California. RAND continues to play a key role in shaping policy discussions and decision-making on a wide range of national and international issues.
RAND Corporation & Muslim Communities
In terms of the RAND Corporation\’s views on Muslims, RAND states that its goal is to provide impartial, evidence-based analysis and recommendations to policymakers. RAND has conducted research on a range of issues related to Islam and Muslim communities, including studies on conflict and security, governance, and economic development. However, RAND\’s views on Muslims are not stated as monolithic and apparently reflect the diverse perspectives of its individual researchers and the findings of their research.
RAND\’s research on Islam and Muslim communities often seeks to address complex policy challenges and promote a better understanding of the political, economic, and social dynamics of Muslim-majority countries and Muslim communities around the world. RAND researchers have produced studies on topics such as extremism, the impact of conflict on Muslim communities, and the role of religion in politics.
RAND has to the wide criticism of Muslims, published 3 main controversial papers (and more) on the Muslim community, specifically overviewing Muslims in the West:
Civil Democratic Islam: Partners, Resources, and Strategies2
U.S. Strategy in the Muslim World After 9/113
Note that RAND\’s states their research is independent and not influenced by political bias or outside interests. RAND states that their commitment to impartial research and evidence-based analysis has made it a trusted source of information for policymakers and other stakeholders seeking to understand and address the complex challenges faced by Muslim communities around the world.
Wait, what do Muslims think?
This begs the question of if Muslims have a say. It seems there are number of islamophobic quandaries with the approach RAND has taken in informing policy surrounding Muslim communities. We intend for more articles to follow here on Ikhlaas.com, examining the 3 largest problems with the RAND corporation’s policy advices on Muslim communities, and how they are undeniably islamophobic in their analyses and propositions.
Endnotes:
1. This overview is based on publicly available information and may not be considered a comprehensive history of the RAND Corporation. To gain a deeper understanding of the organization\’s history, I would recommend consulting relevant academic journals, books, and the RAND Corporation\’s own website for more information.
2. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1716.html
3. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB151.html
4. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG574.html
