Congressional Research Service Reports - 71 Matching Results
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- China and "Falun Gong"
- This report discusses the “Falun Gong” movement, which led to the largest and most protracted public demonstrations in China since the democracy movement of 1989. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) government, fearful of a political challenge and the spread of social unrest, outlawed Falun Gong in July 1999. Despite a massive government campaign against them and harsh punishments meted out to many followers, Falun Gong members continued to stage demonstrations for over two years.
- Pakistan's Domestic Political Developments: Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- 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.
- U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues
- This report reviews the ongoing programs that will affect the expected size and shape of the U.S. strategic nuclear force structure. It includes an overview of this force structure during the Cold War, and summarizes the reductions and changes that have occurred since 1991. It also offers details about each category of delivery vehicle--land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers--focusing on their current deployments and ongoing and planned modernization programs.
- Russian Oil and Gas Companies and Central and Eastern Europe
- This report discusses the role of Russian oil and gas companies in Central Europe, the structure of these industries and their ability to serve as instruments of Russian state power in Central Europe.
- Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- This report offers background information on Ukraine's current political and economic situation. The report covers the country's "intensified dialogue" with NATO regarding membership and also discusses U.S. policy, U.S. aid to Ukraine, the congressional response, and related legislation.
- Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
- This report discusses U.S.-Cuba relations since the early 1960s. There are several schools of thought on how to achieve the objective of bringing democracy and respect for human rights to Cuba: some advocate maximum pressure on Cuba until reforms are enacted; others argue for lifting some U.S. sanctions judged to be hurting the Cuban people; and still others call for a swift normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations.
- Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity
- This report discusses the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp in the U.S. The terms "hemp" and "industrial hemp" refer to varieties of Cannabis sativa characterized by low levels of the primary psychoactive chemical (tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC) in their leaves and flowers.
- Lebanon: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides an overview of Lebanese politics, recent events in Lebanon, and current issues in U.S.-Lebanon relations and will be updated to reflect major developments.
- Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
- No Description Available.
- Pakistan-U.S. Relations
- No Description Available.
- Lebanon
- No Description Available.
- Egypt-United States Relations
- Among the current issues in U.S.-Egyptian relations are the shared concerns over the terrorist attacks against Egyptian police, religious, government, and tourist facilities, and what those attacks maysignal for Egypt’s domestic stability. The two nations may disagree over Egypt’s interpretation of applying human rights practices to Islamic terrorists. The two countries disagree over the speed and depth, but not the need for some of Egypt’s economic reforms. Egypt and the United States agree on the importance of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the need to continue current Arab-Israel peace talks, and the need for regional stability. The two nations agree on Egypt’s determination to introduce democratic reforms to Egypt.
- Libya
- No Description Available.
- The Vietnam-U.S. Normalization Process
- U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic and economic relations remained essentially frozen for more than a decade after the 1975 communist victory in South Vietnam. Washington and Hanoi have incrementally normalized relations over the past decade. The pace has been relatively slow due to continued debate in the United States and Vietnam over improved relations. Congress has played a significant role in the normalization process.
- Russia
- No Description Available.
- Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
- This report, which will be updated regularly, examines issues in U.S.-Cuban relations and tracks legislative initiatives on Cuba in the 109th Congress. The 109th Congress will likely continue an active interest in Cuba concerning human rights, debate over economic sanctions (especially on travel), food and agricultural exports to Cuba, terrorism issues, Radio and TV Marti, bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and migration issues.
- The United States and Europe: Possible Options for U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Korea: U.S.-Korean Relations - Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- The United Kingdom: Issues for the United States
- This report assesses the current state of U.S.-UK relations. It examines the pressures confronting London as it attempts to balance its interests between the United States and the EU, and the prospects for the future of the U.S.-UK partnership. It also describes UK views on political, security, and economic issues of particular importance to the United States, and their implications for U.S. policy.
- Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
- This report provides background information about the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and reviews the discussions about a possible successor to START. It also presents a range of alternatives that the United States and Russia might consider if they choose to follow START with a new framework for the arms control process.
- The Middle East Partnership Initiative: An Overview
- This report provides an overview of The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program, its perception in the Middle East, and its role in the debate over U.S. public diplomacy toward the Arab world.
- Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
- No Description Available.
- Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
- No Description Available.
- U.S.-Japan Economic Ties: Status and Outlook
- No Description Available.
- Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance
- This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai to address corruption within the Afghan government.
- Iran's Nuclear Program: Status
- This report looks at the background of Iran's nuclear policy. It covers the current status of Iran's nuclear facilities and current controversy surrounding them, as well as the effects of international sanctions on Iran, recent sabotages on the Iran Enrichment Program, an estimated timeline of Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities, and whether or not Iran even has a nuclear weapons program.
- Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement
- This report discusses the history of Sudan's civil unrest and the subsequent crisis in Darfur, as well as United Nations and United States aid and peacekeeping efforts, and current related policy under the Obama Administration.
- The Changing U.S.-Japan Alliance: Implications for U.S. Interests
- This report examines policy changes that have driven actual and proposed shifts in the alliance between the U.S. and Japan. Key features of the proposals include a reduction in the number of U.S. Marines in Japan, the relocation of a controversial Marine air base in Okinawa, expanded cooperation in training and intelligence sharing, and command structure changes.
- Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs: Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- The Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq
- The Kurdish-inhabited region of northern Iraq is relatively peaceful and prospering economically, but the Iraqi Kurds' political autonomy and political strength in post- Saddam Iraq is causing friction with Arab leaders in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. However, an overall reduction in violence in Iraq, coupled with continued U.S. political influence over the Kurds, is likely to prevent a destabilizing escalation of the Iraqi Kurd-Arab disputes. Also see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security, by Kenneth Katzman.
- Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis, Peace Talks, Terrorism, and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis, Peace Talks, Terrorism, and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the failing effort to stabilize Afghanistan. Specifically, the report points to Pakistan's inability to prevent Al Qaeda from entering Afghanistan and corruption in the new Afghan government. The future strategy of the U.S. in Afghanistan has been rendered unclear.
- Rwanda: Background and Current Developments
- This report discusses the current political conditions of Rwanda, including a brief historical overview. The report also includes information about the poor human rights conditions in Rwanda and U.S. Rwanda relations.
- Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance
- Operation Iraqi Freedom accomplished a long-standing objective, the overthrow and capture of Saddam Hussein, but replacing that regime with a stable, moderate, democratic political structure has run into difficulty. Past U.S. efforts to change the regime failed because of limited U.S. commitment, disorganization of the Iraqi opposition, and the efficiency and ruthlessness of Iraq’s several overlapping security services. Previous U.S. Administrations had ruled out major U.S. military action to change Iraq’s regime, believing such action would be risky and not necessarily justified by the level of Iraq’s lack of compliance on WMD disarmament.
- The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA)
- No firms have been sanctioned under the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), and a GAO study in December 2007 said that the effects of ISA and other U.S. sanctions on Iran's economy are "difficult to determine." However, with Iran under increasing U.N. and other diplomatic pressure, many foreign firms now seem hesitant to finalize investment deals with Iran. In the 110th Congress, several bills, including the House-passed H.R. 1400 would add ISA provisions.
- Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-War Governance
- No Description Available.
- Cuba After Fidel Castro: Issues for U.S. Policy
- This report first examines various transition scenarios for Cuba after Fidel Castro. It then examines implications of the transition for U.S. policy, including U.S. government preparation and current legislative conditions for dealing with a new government.
- Nigeria in Political Transition
- No Description Available.
- Taiwan's Political Status: Historical Background and Ongoing Implications
- No Description Available.
- China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues
- Using a variety of unclassified consultations and sources, this report discusses the national security problem of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response, including legislation, since the mid-1990s.
- NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance
- This report discusses the mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan, the purpose of which is to stabilize and reconstruct Afghanistan by combating emerging threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This report also discusses how the Obama Administration has made the Afghanistan conflict a policy priority, and what this stance could mean for potential future endeavors.
- Women in Iraq: Background and Issues for U.S. Policy
- The issue of women’s rights in Iraq has taken on new relevance, following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, efforts to reconstruct Iraq, and recent elections for a Transitional National Assembly (TNA). Over the past three years, the Bush Administration has reiterated its interest in ensuring that Iraqi women participate in politics and ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq. There has also been a widening debate regarding the extent to which the U.S.-led reconstruction efforts have been able to enhance women’s rights in Iraq and encourage their participation in Iraq’s governing institutions.
- China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues
- Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Skeptics question whether China's cooperation in weapons nonproliferation has warranted President Bush's pursuit of stronger bilateral ties. This report discusses the national security problem of China's role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response, including legislation, since the mid-1990s.
- Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- Taiwan: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy Choices
- This report focuses on current developments in Taiwan, analyzing how those developments are affecting choices the United States makes about its policy toward Taiwan specifically and toward the People's Republic of Chine (PRC) more broadly.
- Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty
- No Description Available.
- Iraq: Weapons Programs, U.N. Requirements, and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.