Mark Toukan is an associate political scientist at RAND and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Prior to joining RAND he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Penn Identity and Conflict Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Political Science, an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and French from the Ohio State University. His recent work focuses on defense modeling and simulation, military training, technology assessment, conflict forecasting, and Middle Eastern security. He has previously worked on alliance dynamics and security cooperation, proxy warfare, conflict management, and topics in network analysis.

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  Report

  Conflict Projections in U.S. Central Command: Incorporating Climate Change

  This report presents an analysis of the impact of climate change on the frequency of conflict in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

  Nov 29, 2023

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  Research Brief

  Planning for an Uncertain Future: What Climate-Related Conflict Could Mean for U.S. Central Command

  As climate change increasingly disrupts human and natural systems, this report presents analysis and characterizes how climate hazards could affect the physical and security environment in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

  Nov 29, 2023

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  Report

  Air Force Readiness Assessment: How Training Infrastructure Can Provide Better Information for Decisionmaking

  Investments in U.S. Air Force training infrastructure to improve readiness assessment can better inform decisions amid changing environments, an increased pace of warfare, and the potential loss of superiority. 

  Oct 19, 2023

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  Research Brief

  How Training Infrastructure Can Improve Assessments of Air Force Readiness

  This brief summarizes research on how investments in U.S. Air Force training infrastructure to improve readiness assessment can better inform decisions amid changing environments, an increased pace of warfare, and the potential loss of superiority. 

  Oct 19, 2023

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  Report

  Exploring the Use of Computational Cognitive Models to Personalize Training

  This report describes how computational cognitive models can enhance learning gains and reduce training time for mission-critical knowledge, skills, and abilities, with emphasis on second-language learning, for the U.S. Department of the Air Force.

  Jul 13, 2023

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  Report

  Overcoming Barriers to Working with Highly Capable Allies and Partners in the Air, Space, and Cyber Domains: An Exploratory Analysis

  In this report, the authors consider how the United States can enhance engagement with highly capable allies and partners to improve interoperability by identifying some of the main barriers to security cooperation with these countries.

  Jul 5, 2023

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  Report

  Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: Overarching Findings and Recommendations

  This report synthesizes the findings and recommendations from two companion reports on intrastate proxy wars: civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state.

  Mar 9, 2023

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  Report

  Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: State Motivations and Future Trends

  The authors used quantitative analysis and case studies of China, Iran, and Russia to examine the causes and likely future trends in proxy wars: civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state.

  Mar 9, 2023

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  Report

  Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition: Military Implications

  The authors examine the military implications of intrastate proxy wars (civil wars in which at least one local warring party receives material support from an external state) via a literature review and four case studies.

  Mar 9, 2023

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  Report

  Assessment of Joint All Domain Command and Control Requirements and the Use of Live, Virtual, and Constructive Capabilities for Training

  This report presents research findings addressing the use of live, virtual, and constructive simulation capabilities for continuation training at air operation centers in the U.S. Air Force, in support of Joint All Domain Command and Control.

  Mar 2, 2023

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  Report

  A New Framework and Logic Model for Using Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training in the United States Air Force

  To help improve training and readiness in the U.S. Air Force, the authors describe a framework for aligning live, virtual, and constructive capabilities with training needs on collective, complex, cognitive tasks for aircrews.

  Feb 2, 2023

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  Commentary

  Improving U.S. Air Force Training Investments: Putting Proficiency First

  The U.S. Air Force needs to make near-term investments in its operational training infrastructure to ready airmen for high-end conflict. This Perspective explores which investments are most appropriate and which should receive priority.

  Dec 15, 2022

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  Commentary

  What Is JADC2, and How Does It Relate to Training? An Air Force Perspective on Joint All Domain Command and Control

  Given anticipated changes in warfare, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) is a critical new concept that is still developing. For JADC2 to be effective, it must be clear across all echelons, and there must be consistent communication.

  Jun 14, 2022

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  Report

  Air Force Operational Test and Training Infrastructure: Barriers to Full Implementation

  This report offers stakeholders in Air Force training a framework for discerning the implications of different training infrastructure investments for assessing the readiness of individuals and aircrews.

  Feb 28, 2022

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  Report

  Supporting Joint Warfighter Readiness: Opportunities and Incentives for Interservice and Intraservice Coordination with Training-Simulator Acquisition and Use

  As conflicts increasingly involve joint operations, joint simulation-based training becomes more important. The authors examine gaps between joint training needs and current and future resources to improve coordination within and among the services.

  Aug 4, 2021

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  Report

  Securing Gains in Fragile States: Using U.S. Leverage in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond

  This report evaluates U.S. options for stabilizing conflict-affected states by incentivizing governance reforms through military and development assistance in the context of U.S. military interventions.

  Jun 15, 2021

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  Report

  Using U.S. Leverage to Limit Instability in Fragile States: Executive Summary

  This report evaluates U.S. options for stabilizing conflict-affected states by incentivizing governance reforms through military and development assistance in the context of U.S. military interventions.

  Jun 15, 2021