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Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Acquisition: Issues for Congress

Description: Increasing calls for intelligence support and continuing innovations in intelligence technologies combine to create significant challenges for both the executive and legislative branches. This report discusses Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, which are integral components of both national policymaking and military operations, including counterterrorism operations. ISR systems are costly and complicated, and the relationships among organizations responsible for desig… more
Date: January 20, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Security Council: An Organizational Assessment

Description: The National Security Council (NSC) was established in 1947. This report describes the history of the NSC, how is structure and influence have varied over the years from one Administration to another, what its current structure and who its current members are, varying opinions as to what the role of the NSC should be, and future developments for the NSC.
Date: January 20, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular "plug-and-fight" mission packages. The Navy's proposed FY2012 budget requests funding for the procurement of four LCSs. Current issues for Congress concerning the LCS program include changes or potential changes to the composition of LCS mission modules announced by the Navy in January 2011, the combat survivabilit… more
Date: January 20, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Technical Issues

Description: This report summarizes what is known from open sources about the North Korean nuclear weapons program - including weapons-usable fissile material and warhead estimates - and assesses current developments in achieving denuclearization.
Date: January 20, 2011
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program. It covers the congressional authorization and appropriation process, the standard project development process, and other Corps activities and authorities. It also includes an Appendix on the evolution of Corps civil works missions and authorities and a description of the limits on the Corps' role in levee accreditation and improvements for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Date: January 19, 2011
Creator: Carter, Nicole T. & Stern, Charles V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Nunn-McCurdy Act: Background, Analysis, and Issues for Congress

Description: For almost 30 years, the Nunn-McCurdy Act has served as one of the principal mechanisms for notifying Congress of cost overruns in Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). This report discusses the Act's background, amendments, and relevancy to current times.
Date: January 19, 2011
Creator: Schwartz, Moshe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) and Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team (E-IBCT) Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: Report that looks at budget requests for the Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program, Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program, and brigade combat teams (BCTs). It ends with a discussion of potential issues for Congress.
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Economic Development Assistance for Communities Affected by Employment Changes Due to Military Base Closures (BRAC)

Description: This report discusses the geographic impact of base closures and realignments, provides an analysis of federal economic assistance programs for those affected by such closures, and analyzes possible policy issues for Congress.
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Gonzales, Oscar R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Marines' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV): Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), which is an armored amphibious vehicle program that originated two decades ago to replace the 1970s-era Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). The EFV has experienced a variety of developmental difficulties, which this report explores. This report also discusses potential related issues for Congress.
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Description: This report looks at the background and current status of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was formed to increase international cooperation in interdicting shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Nikitin, Mary Beth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The U.S.-Japan Alliance

Description: This report looks at the pros and cons of the alliance with Japan, in which the United States maintains exclusive use of 89 military bases in Japan and, in exchange, guarantees Japan's security. The alliance has endured over 50 years, through periods of intense partnership and stretches of political drift; this report reevaluates the relationship based on international developments.
Date: January 18, 2011
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians

Description: Report collecting statistics from a variety of sources on casualties sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which began on October 7, 2001. OEF actions take place primarily in Afghanistan; however, OEF casualties also includes American casualties in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Chesser, Susan G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Deepwater Acquisition Programs: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's Deepwater acquisition programs for replacing and modernizing the service's aging fleet of deepwater-capable ships and aircraft.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

Description: This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Navy SSBN(X) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: Report discussing the United States Navy's plan to develop and design a class of 12 next-generation ballistic missile submarines, or SSBN(X)s, as replacements for the 14 Ohio class SSBNs currently in operation. The report explores the affordability of the project and its potential impact on other Navy shipbuilding programs, alternatives to the program, and which shipyard or shipyards will build the proposed ships.
Date: January 14, 2011
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal: Background Information

Description: Report that discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) policy via the Defense Utilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) for disposing of government equipment and supplies considered surplus or deemed unnecessary to the agency's currently designated mission. The report focuses on DRMS background, as well as the most recent DRMS policy modifications.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Grasso, Valerie Bailey
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues

Description: Report that provides background on the development of intelligence satellites and identifies the roles various agencies play in their management and use. Issues surrounding the current policy and proposed changes are discussed, followed by a discussion of legal considerations.
Date: January 13, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals

Description: This report discusses the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position created by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458). It includes an overview of the authorities granted to the DNI by legislation in 2004 and later as well as the varying opinions of Congress regarding new DNI authorities, as well as related legislation from FY2010 through FY2012.
Date: January 12, 2011
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr. & Cumming, Alfred
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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