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- Draft Calls: Some Basic Facts
- This report discusses the draft and procedures for selection which were revised in 1969 to make selection random and the number of men called up through the draft for 1968 through 1970.
- The United States and NATO: Commitments, Problems, and Prospects
- This report discusses the United States's participation in NATO and the benefits, challenges, and prospects of involvement.
- The Interim Agreement Between the United States pf America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Certain Measures with Respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms: A Brief Pro-Con Discussion
- This report discusses the pros and cons of the 1972 interim agreement between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. to limit strategic offensive arms in their respective countries.
- The Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense of Washington: A Continuing Issue
- This report discusses proposals to fund and build a ballistic missile defense system for Washington, D.C. and various arguments for and against the proposal.
- U.S. Military Support for NATO
- This report discuses U.S. military involvement and support for NATO and considers military strategy priorities and concerns regarding placement and numbers of troops in Europe.
- The MX Basing Debate: The Reagan Plan and Alternatives
- This report discusses the Reagan MX basing plan, and the FY82 Defense authorization bill.
- National Emergency Powers
- This report the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601-1651) that eliminated or modified some statutory grants of emergency authority, required the President to declare formally the existence of a national emergency and to specify what statutory authority, activated by the declaration, would be used, and provided Congress a means to countermand the President's declaration and the activated authority being sought.
- Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996: A Summary
- The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 is the product of legislative efforts stretching back well over a decade and stimulated to passage in part by the tragedies in Oklahoma City and the World Trade Center. This report summarizes the six titles of the Act, its sources, and related legislation.
- Peacekeeping Options: Considerations for U.S. Policymakers and the Congress
- This report provides a frame of reference for considering the relative merits of using these organizations in peace and security operations. It first reviews the types of actions and activities available to deal with situations ranging from low-level tension to open conflict to post-conflict transition. It then examines, for each of the organizations, the major considerations, i.e., effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages, and other important issues for U.S. policy makers in their use.
- Defense Research: A Primer on the Department of Defense’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program
- This report describes the basic elements and issues of the Department of Defense's (DOD) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program. It defines basic activities supported by the program, presents budget trends, discusses the management of program, and describes the infrastructure in which the program is implemented. This report is for staff new to the area of defense research and for senior staff interested in historical trends.
- Long Beach: Proposed Lease by China Ocean Shipping Co. (COSCO) at Former Naval Base
- No Description Available.
- The Airborne Laser Anti-Missile Program
- This report summarizes the Air Force's program to build an airborne laser (ABL) to destroy ballistic missiles in their boost phase. Furthermore, the report considers the history of the impact small nations can have with warheads and of the Gulf War. The Air Force suggests that the ABL will be able to destroy missiles from tens to hundreds of Kilometers away.
- Military Technicians: The Issue of Mandatory Retirement for Non-Dual-Status Technicians
- This report describes the mandatory retirement provisions for certain “non-dual-status” military technicians contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (P.L. 106-65), discusses the stated rationale behind the policy, and quantifies the impact it will likely have on individual technicians.
- START II Debate in the Russian Duma: Issues and Prospects
- The Russian Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament approved ratification of the START II Treaty on April 14, 2000, after 7 years of debate and dissension. (The United States Senate approved ratification of the treaty in January 1996.) This report describes key concerns raised by Members of the Duma during their discussions of START II. These include concerns with treaty provisions, such as its ban on multiple warhead ICBMs and its warhead "downloading" provisions, and concerns with Russia's ability to maintain and finance its strategic nuclear forces in the future.
- Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
- This report outlines the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and related legislation. The report discusses a comprehensive test ban treaty, which is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda.
- Operation Enduring Freedom: Potential Air Power Questions for Congress
- This report discusses questions Congress may have concerning the effective use of air power during operation Enduring Freedom, including which aircraft are likely to be involved and how they are used.
- The Economic Effects of Spending on Homeland Security
- One direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11 is that the cost of domestic security has risen. That increased cost is likely to be in the form of increased outlays on the military, as well as increases in spending for domestic law enforcement, public safety, and private security services. This report briefly discusses the economic effects of this increased cost looks into how security affects GDP.
- Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States
- The United States began contacts with the PalestineLiberationOrganization (PLO)in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel’s right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States continues its contacts with the PLO and the Palestinian Authority elected in January 1996 and is an active broker in the continuing Middle East peace process.
- Arms Control and Strategic Nuclear Weapons: Unilateral vs. Bilateral Reductions
- This report discusses changing U.S. policy and priorities in regards to arms control. The report compares the various strengths and weaknesses of unilateral and bilateral approaches to arms reduction.
- Selected Procedural Safeguards in Federal, Military, and International Courts
- This report compares selected procedural safeguards employed in criminal trials in federal criminal court with parallel protective measures in military general courts-martial, military commissions as authorized under the Military Order of November 13, and, as a possible benchmark of international standards, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
- Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard's new homeland-security operations in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, which raise potential issues for Congress regarding the adequacy of Coast Guard assets and funding, the Coast Guard’s legal authorities, the Coast Guard’s location within the executive branch, and coordination between the Coast Guard and other agencies.
- Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard's new homeland-security operations in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, which raise potential issues for Congress regarding the adequacy of Coast Guard assets and funding, the Coast Guard’s legal authorities, the Coast Guard’s location within the executive branch, and coordination between the Coast Guard and other agencies.
- Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Coast Guard's new homeland-security operations in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, which raise potential issues for Congress regarding the adequacy of Coast Guard assets and funding, the Coast Guard’s legal authorities, the Coast Guard’s location within the executive branch, and coordination between the Coast Guard and other agencies.
- Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
- This report provides background on the purpose, structure, and other aspects of the new Institute for Security Cooperation.
- Federal Disaster Policies After Terrorists Strike: Issues and Options for Congress
- This report is intended to assist Congress as it considers options for consequence management legislation. It provides information on federal policies that would be implemented in the event that terrorist attacks in an attempt to answer the question: Based on experiences gained thus far, should Congress consider changes in federal consequence management policies to address the effects of possible future attacks? The report explores two types of issues--selected administrative issues pertinent to the delivery of assistance, and selected policy issues about the assistance provided.
- Intelligence Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the U.S. Intelligence Community's status and priorities in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Intelligence Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the U.S. Intelligence Community's status and priorities in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- The Military Draft and a Possible War with Iraq
- This report analyzes the possible scenarios under which the resumption of a draft might be militarily necessary, describes some of the social rationales for and against resuming the draft that have been cited (independent of military requirements), and itemizes the current status of the draft and action required for its reinstatement.
- Potential Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: An Overview for Congress
- This report discusses the Oil For Food Program (OFFP) has alleviated some of the worst effects of the 1991 Gulf-War international sanctions regime. While some improvements have been seen in nutrition, health services, water supply and sanitation, there is greater dependence on government services, and observers of the Iraq situation have identified disturbing health and nutrition problems affecting the civilian population.
- Iraq: Turkey, the Deployment of U.S. Forces, and Related Issues
- On March 1, 2003, the Turkish parliament, in a close vote, failed to pass a resolution authorizing the United States to deploy troops to Turkish territory to open a northern front in a war against Iraq. The vote surprised the U.S. government and its Turkish counterpart. Both governments may have greatly overestimated their understanding of the Turkish political situation that contributed to the defeat of the resolution. This report focuses on that political scene, Turkish concerns about an Iraq conflict, the tentative, but unfulfilled, bargain struck between the U.S. and Turkish governments to authorize the U.S. deployment - to the extent that it is known, the final arrangements for U.S. access to Turkish airspace, and attendant issues. This report also reviews the implications of parliament’s actions for the bilateral U.S.- Turkish relationship, regional relations, Turkey’s domestic politics, its economy, and broader issues.
- Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
- This report presents casualty data compiled by the Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied from the agency’s press releases.
- Homeland Security: Defending U.S. Airspace
- This reports discusses about Air Defense Challenges Options and Issues and Command and Control.
- Authorization and Appropriations for FY2004: Defense
- This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress passes each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water. It summarizes the current legislative status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related legislative activity.
- Continuity of Operations (COOP) in the Executive ranch : Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the background of Continuity of Operations (COOP) in planning, discusses elements of an effective COOP plan, and reviews the current policies governing COOP planning in the executive branch. The final two sections address issues and policy questions, including, among other matters, the status of agency preparedness, maintaining COOP preparedness, congressional committee oversight of COOP activity, and funding for contingency planning.
- Financing Issues and Economic Effects of American Wars
- This report examines financing and economic issues in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, the Reagan Military Buildup, and the 1991 and 2003 wars in Iraq. It examines tax policy, non-military outlays, the budget balance, economic growth, inflation, and interest rates during these periods.
- Homeland Security: Navy Operations - Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Navy's homeland security (HLS) and homeland defense (HLD) operations, which raise several potential oversight issues for Congress, including Navy coordination with the Coast Guard in HLS and HLD operations.
- Homeland Security: Navy Operations — Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses potential Navy homeland security roles include defending the United States against ballistic or cruise missile attack, defending U.S. naval bases and naval computer networks against attack, searching for terrorists at sea, and assisting civil authorities in responding to terrorist attacks. The Navy’s role in homeland security raises several potential issues for Congress.
- Proposed Change to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) under S. 113
- This report discusses S. 113, a bill to extend the coverage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ("FISA") to non-U.S. persons who engage in international terrorism or activities in preparation for terrorist acts, without a showing of membership in or affiliation with an international terrorist group.
- Information Sharing for Homeland Security: A Brief Overview
- This report reviews some of the principal existing homeland security information sharing arrangements, as well as some projected arrangements in this regard, and discusses related policy, evaluations, and proposed legislation.
- Federal Responses to International Conflict and Terrorism: Property Rights Issues
- This report reveals that based on case law to date, Takings Clause limits on federal response to international threats appear to be few, but most certainly do exist – chiefly when private property is impressed into military service not in the theater of actual war.
- Homeland Security: Defending U.S. Airspace
- This report discusses about Air Defense Challenge, Command & Control, Intercept and Surveillance.
- Egypt-United States Relations
- This report summarizes the focus of U.S.-Egyptian relations in terms of security policy and maintaining the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace-treaty. Moreover, the report suggests the importance of sustaining the relationship to protect U.S. interests, but also the cost of the relationship that is displayed in the $2 billion in economic and military assistance the U.S. provides Egypt with annually.
- Missile Defense: The Current Debate
- This report provides background information on the Bush Administration's proposed approach toward the development and deployment of missile defense. It also discusses key related issues.
- Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: A Chronology, FY1970-FY2005
- This report is a research aid, which lists the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bills (Table 1) and appropriations bills (Table 2).
- Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties
- This report provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003.
- Air Force Transformation
- This report considers how the Air Force is changing itself to meet new defensive needs. The issues for Congress on this are mostly budgetary and how effective it will be.
- Military Medical Care Services: Questions and Answers
- This report attempts to answer basic questions about the Military Health Services System (MHSS), its beneficiary population, the medical services it provides, its costs, and major changes that are underway or have been proposed. Citations are made to more detailed CRS studies where appropriate.
- Homeland Security: Navy Operations — Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Navy's homeland security (HLS) and homeland defense (HLD) operations, which raise several potential oversight issues for Congress, including Navy coordination with the Coast Guard in HLS and HLD operations.
- Homosexuals and U.S. Military Policy: Current Issues
- This report discusses policy towards homosexuals in the U.S. military service. In 1993, new laws and regulations pertaining to homosexuals and U.S. military service came into effect reflecting a compromise in policy. This compromise, colloquially referred to as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” holds that the presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion which are the essence of military capability. Service members are not to be asked about nor allowed to discuss their homosexuality. This compromise notwithstanding, the issue has remained politically contentious.
- Homeland Security: Defending U.S. Airspace
- The September 11th attacks drew attention to U.S. air defense, and the 9/11 Commission Report recommended that Congress regularly assess the ability of Northern Command to defend the United States against military threats. Protecting U.S. airspace may require improvements in detecting aircraft and cruise missiles, making quick operational decisions, and intercepting them. This report discusses a number of options that exist in each of these areas. A variety of issues must be weighed including expediency, cost, and minimizing conflicts with civilian aviation.