Congressional Research Service Reports - 4,491 Matching Results
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- Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief
- This report provides a brief overview of relations between Turkey and the U.S., Turkish foreign and military policies, and domestic issues in Turkey.
- Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean
- This report looks at instances of trafficking in persons (TIP) in Latin America. It looks at current legislation in the U.S. to combat this problem.
- U.S. Trade Remedy Laws and Nonmarket Economies: A Legal Overview
- This report discusses the application of antidumping and countervailing duty law to the goods of nonmarket economy (NME) countries, including the decision of the Department of Commerce (DOC) in 2007 to change its long-standing policy and apply CVD law to such goods; reviews China's successful case in the World Trade Organization challenging the U.S. application of CVDs to Chinese products and the status of U.S. compliance efforts in the case; examines the December 2011 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in GPX Int'l Tire Corp. v. United States holding that the U.S. CVD law does not authorize DOC to apply CVDs to NME country goods; summarizes the subsequently enacted P.L. 112-99, signed March 13, 2012, a statute authorizing DOC to apply CVDs to such products; and notes recent developments in the GPX litigation.
- Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief
- This report presents the President's requests for authority and funding for the Department of Defense to provide overt assistance, including possible military training and weapons, to vetted members of the Syrian opposition and other vetted Syrians for select purposes are the subject of close congressional consideration.
- Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the resignation of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe after a military intervention and the installation of one of his former vice-presidents, Emmanuel Mnangagwa as interim President. Various possible outcomes of the change and possible actions by Congress to advance U.S. interests in the region are discussed.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report gives a overview of Iran's defense policies and programs and foreign policy. Regions covered are the Near East, South and Central Asia,Russia, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Iran's nuclear programs and security issues are also discussed.
- Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Afghanistan's government and political structure, ongoing security and defense issues, U.S. assistance to the Afghan military, U.S. humanitarian and economic aid, human rights issues, regional relations, and economic development.
- Serbia: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides a brief overview of Serbia's political and economic systems and conditions, their relations with Kosovo, the EU, Russia, and the U.S. and efforts to increase border security in response to the refugee and migrant crisis of 2015 and to combat terrorism.
- Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information and issues for Congress on maritime territorial and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) disputes in the East China (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS) involving China, with a focus on how these disputes may affect U.S. strategic and policy interests.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report gives a overview of Iran's defense policies and programs and foreign policy. Regions covered are the Near East, South and Central Asia,Russia, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Iran's nuclear programs and security issues are also discussed.
- State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs: Fiscal Year 2017 Budget and Appropriations
- This report provides an overview and highlights of the State Department Foreign Operations and Related Appropriations request with an account-by-account comparison of the FY2017 request to the House and Senate committee-passed bills and FY2016 estimates in Appendix A. Appendix B provides the International Affairs 150 function funding levels.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policies and their motivations. Policies in each area of the world and their nuclear programs are discussed.
- Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report describes Kuwait's political and governmental structure, economy, relations with the U.S. especially in the area of defense, regional policies, and human rights issues.
- The State Department's "Trafficking in Persons" Report: Scope, Aid Restrictions, and Methodology
- This report describes the legislative provisions that govern the U.S. Department of State's production of the annual TIP Report, reviews country ranking trends in the TIP Report, and identifies recent congressional oversight of and legislative activity to modify the TIP Report. Answers to selected frequently asked questions (FAQs) are included throughout the report.
- Election Security: Issues in the 2018 Midterm Elections
- This report discusses concerns over possible election interference that could take place during the 2018 midterm elections.
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Qatar's governmental structure and politics, economy, foreign policy and regional disputes with other Gulf countries, U.S.-Qatar relations and security collaboration, and human rights issues.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policy and the reasoning behind it, as well as U.S. concerns regarding their power and nuclear weapon capability.
- Argentina
- This report discusses Argentina's political and economic situation, U.S. foreign aid to Argentina, trade and investment issues, and U.S. Congressional interest.
- Iran Nuclear Agreement and U.S. Exit
- This report discusses the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and various options for possible U.S. withdrawal if President Trump decided to try to reimpose sanctions on Iran.
- Taiwan: Select Political and Security Issues
- This report discusses the political situation of Taiwan, which officially calls itself the Republic of China (ROC). Topics covered include the Trump Administration's policy toward Taiwan, the relationship between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC), and legislation in the 115th Congress.
- Zimbabwe: Forthcoming Elections
- This report discusses the election players, electoral challenges, and U.S. role in the July 2018 Zimbabwe elections -- the first since the November 2017 resignation of President Robert Mugabe after 37 years in office. The election has raised hopes for the resolution of a persistent economic crisis and for a democratic transition ending a long pattern of human rights violations and undemocratic governance--and an end to the years of international condemnation, sanctions, and isolation generated by such trends.
- Economic Sanctions to Achieve U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: Discussion and Guide to Current Law
- This report provides background on foreign policy sanctions and the events that might necessitate their use, criteria to consider when determining if sanctions are appropriate, approaches that might be effective, and aspects of the use of sanctions that are sometimes overlooked or not considered fully. The report also provides an uncomplicated map of where sanctions policies and options currently may be found in U.S. law.
- FY2017 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Budget Request: In Brief
- This report provides an overview and highlights of budget requests for the State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Appropriations (SFOPS). It includes information from the previous fiscal years with an account-by-account comparison of the FY2017 request to the FY2016 estimates and FY2015 actuals in Appendix A.
- Iran: U.S. Policy and Options
- This report analyzes developments in U.S. policy toward Iran, including existing U.S. sanctions in force against that country. The report discusses changes in Iranian policy and in U.S. policy toward Iran since the May 1997 election of a relative moderate, Mohammad Khatemi, as Iran's President. The report analyzes the outstanding issues that divide the two countries, and conditions under which Iran might agree to U.S. overtures to improve relations with Iran's government.
- Serbia: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of Serbia and its governmental structure, economy, and foreign relations with the U.S., Kosovo, Turkey, Russia, and the European Union (EU).
- World Trade Organization: Overview and Future Direction
- This report provides background history of the World Trade Organization (WTO), its organization, and current status of negotiations. It also explores concerns regarding the WTO's future direction and key policy issues for Congress.
- Lebanon
- This report includes information regarding the relationship between the United States and Lebanon, as well as Lebanon's political profile, and foreign presence in Lebanon
- A Change in Direction for Seoul? The Impeachment of South Korea's President
- This report discusses the Constitutional Court decision for impeachment of the former President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye. The decision was the latest development in a corruption scandal that has engulfed South Korean politics and the business world since October 2016, and comes against the backdrop of North Korean missile tests.
- U.S. Trade Remedy Laws and Nonmarket Economies: A Legal Overview
- Two major U.S. trade remedies are antidumping (AD) law, which combats the sale of imported products at less than their fair market value, and countervailing duty (CVD) law, which aims to offset foreign government subsidization of imported goods. This report discusses these two law's impact on U.S. foreign relations.
- Horn of Africa Region: The Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
- This report provides an overview of the current status of the crisis, summary background on the region, a framework for the international and humanitarian response, and an analysis of some of the operational challenges.
- Zivotofsky v. Kerry: The Jerusalem Passport Case and Its Potential Implications for Congress's Foreign Affairs Powers
- This report briefly describes legislative efforts to modify U.S. policy with respect to Jerusalem, in particular multiple enactments of the passport provision. The report then summarizes the Supreme Court decision, including concurrences and dissents. Finally, the report concludes by suggesting possible implications of the decision with respect to Congress's authority to influence foreign affairs.
- International Crises and Disasters: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Response Mechanisms
- This report examines U.S. humanitarian assistance in international crises and disaster situations. It considers the sources and types of U.S. government aid, the response mechanisms of key U.S. agencies and departments, and possible issues for Congress.
- Middle East Elections 2009: Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq
- This report provides an overview of the election contests in Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq, including possible outcomes and implications for U.S. policy. The strategic influence of Iran in the Middle East, the stability of Iraq, and the ongoing war in Afghanistan are at the forefront of U.S. policy and Congressional interest in the region.
- Foreign Aid Reform: Issues for Congress and Policy Options
- This report discusses the role of foreign assistance as a tool of foreign policy and provides policy options for reform. Despite changing global conditions and challenges, U.S. foreign aid programs (including their organizational structure and their statutory underpinnings) still reflect the Cold War environment in which they originated.
- Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean
- This report looks at instances of trafficking in persons (TIP) in Latin America. It looks at current legislation in the U.S. to combat this problem.
- Illegal Drug Trade in Africa: Trends and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the rise in illicit drug trafficking in Africa, the U.S. policy response, and implications for U.S. interests.
- Peacekeeping and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on Civilian Capabilities
- The State Department's new Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) is intended to address longstanding concerns, both within Congress and the broader foreign policy community, over the perceived lack of the appropriate capabilities and processes to deal with transitions from conflict to sustainable stability. Effectively distributing resources among the various executive branch actors, maintaining clear lines of authority and jurisdiction, and balancing short- and long-term objectives are major challenges for designing, planning, and conducting post-conflict operations. This report outlines the functions of S/CRS, as well as funding of S/CRS and relevant legislation.
- Economic Sanctions to Achieve U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: Discussion and Guide to Current Law
- This report provides background on foreign policy sanctions. It addresses the following questions: Why do we apply sanctions? What objectives does the U.S. government seek to achieve when it imposes sanctions? Who imposes sanctions? What tools are available? How likely is it that sanctions will achieve the stated goal? What secondary consequences might sanctions have? What change is required for the sanctions to be lifted? Would multilateral sanctions be more desirable and achievable? The report also provides an uncomplicated map of where sanctions policies and options currently may be found in U.S. law.
- The NATO Summit at Istanbul, 2004
- No Description Available.
- Haiti: Issues for Congress
- This report talk about the Issues for Congress on Haiti where congress continues to express concern about a number of developments in Haiti,especially its stalled democratic process and increased violence and human right violations.
- Haiti: Issues for Congress
- This report talk about the Issues for Congress on Haiti where congress continues to express concern about a number of developments in Haiti,especially its stalled democratic process and increased violence and human right violations.
- NATO: July 1997 Madrid Summit Outcome
- No Description Available.
- Homeland Security: Banking and Financial Infrastructure Continuity
- This report outlines the existing recovery modes to mitigate disasters in financial markets that events have tested in recent experience, and recovery arrangements.
- Iraqi Chemical and Biological Weapons (CBW) Capabilities
- Report on the weapon capabilities of Iraq, specifically on chemical and biological weapons.
- Implications of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations upon the Regulation of Consular Identification Cards
- The recent controversy regarding the use of consular identification cards (IDs) by aliens within the United States, in particular Mexico’s particular consular, has led to calls for legislation to regulate the issuance of the cards by foreign missions or their acceptance by U.S. government and private entities. This report identifies possible implications that U.S. regulation or monitoring of the issuance of these cards by foreign missions might have upon U.S. obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), which protects foreign missions in the exercise of their legitimate consular functions and codifies customary international law with respect to the inviolability of consular premises and documents.
- Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade: Key Issues for the 109th Congress
- This report provides key issues for the 109th Congress regarding Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade. Among the 109th Congress' first orders of business will be dealing with the policy priorities - both domestic and foreign, as well as issues of business including U.S. foreign and security policy, global issues, defense policy, and more.
- The NATO Summit at Prague, 2002
- No Description Available.
- Peacekeeping and Post-Conflict Capabilities: The State Department’s Office for Reconstruction and Stabilization
- No Description Available.
- Soviet Policy Toward the Third World
- Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet state, provided the ideological underpinning for Soviet Third world policy. Be believed that the developing nations, most of which were still part of European colonial empires, were the "weakest link in the capitalist empires and that revolution along these nations would undermine the military and economic power of the West- In 1920, he called on all Communist parties to support these revolutions, but Soviet Russia at that time vas involved in its own civil war and too weak to sake many inroads in the Third World.
- Peacekeeping and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on Civilian Capabilities
- No Description Available.