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Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance

Description: 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. The report also includes discussion of election fraud and corruption in Afghanistan.
Date: July 28, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: Frequently Asked Questions and Background

Description: This report provides information about the early August 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, and policy issues likely to be addressed by participants in the summit and other events being held in conjunction with it.
Date: July 31, 2014
Creator: Cook, Nicolas; Arieff, Alexis; Blanchard, Lauren P. & Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests

Description: This report discusses the current political and economic conditions in Russia, focusing on the impact of Vladimir Putin's leadership and the leadership of his successor/protégé, Dmitriy Medvedev, both of which have steered Russia away from progress toward democratization. The report also discusses the state of the economy since the Soviet collapse in 1999, how the recent global economic downturn has affected Russia, the state of Russia's military, and the current relationship between Russia and… more
Date: March 5, 2014
Creator: Nichol, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

Description: This report provides a summary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The report covers the key aspects, U.S. imports under the AGOA, and the debate on whether or not it should be renewed.
Date: July 25, 2014
Creator: Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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North Korea: U.S. Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy, and Internal Situation

Description: North Korea has presented one of the most vexing and persistent problems in U.S. foreign policy in the post-Cold War period. The United States has never had formal diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (the official name for North Korea), although contact at a lower level has ebbed and flowed over the years. Negotiations over North Korea's nuclear weapons program have occupied the past three U.S. administrations, even as some analysts anticipated a collapse of the … more
Date: December 5, 2014
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma & Rinehart, Ian E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions

Description: The United States has led the international community in imposing economic sanctions on Iran, in an effort to change the government of that country's support of acts of international terrorism, poor human rights record, weapons and missile development and acquisition, role in regional instability, and development of a nuclear program. This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions.
Date: December 30, 2014
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico followed by assessments of some key issues of congressional interest in Mexico: security, human rights, trade, migration, energy, and water issues. The report summarizes legislative action that occurred related to these topics during the 113th Congress and refers to other CRS products and experts that can be consulted for further information.
Date: December 16, 2014
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues

Description: This report is a succinct overview of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship including an analysis of issues. For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic, and political interest to the United States. While the United States does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is a significant autonomous actor in the world.
Date: December 11, 2014
Creator: Kan, Shirley A. & Morrison, Wayne M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: Argentina, a South American country with a population of around 41 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Argentina has Latin America's third-largest economy and is endowed with vast natural resources. Agriculture has traditionally been a main economic driver, but the country also has a diversified industrial base and a highly educated population. U.S.-Argentine relations, as described by the Department of State, are based on such shared … more
Date: December 9, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P. & Nelson, Rebecca M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions

Description: The United States has led the international community in imposing economic sanctions on Iran, in an effort to change the government of that country's support of acts of international terrorism, poor human rights record, weapons and missile development and acquisition, role in regional instability, and development of a nuclear program. This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions.
Date: December 11, 2014
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: In Brief

Description: This report reviews the authority granted in H.J.Res. 124 and explores similarities and differences among the H.J.Res. 124 authority, the President's requests, and other proposals that may be considered by Congress, including during anticipated consideration of FY2015 full-year appropriations or defense authorization (H.R. 4435/S. 2410) legislation.
Date: December 3, 2014
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M. & Belasco, Amy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Western Sahara

Description: This report discusses how Morocco and the independence-seeking Popular Front for the Liberation of Saqiat al Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario) have been vying for control of the Western Sahara, a former Spanish territory, since the 1970s. The report discusses recent settlement attempts, as well as how the Western Sahara issue has affected Algerian-Moroccan bilaterial relations, Moroccan relations with the African Union, and regional cooperation on economic and security issues. The report also di… more
Date: October 8, 2014
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments

Description: This report discusses the strategic significance of Guam for defense buildup and the force relocation and deployments from the U.S. mainland. It also discusses the concerns and issues for Congress, such as allies and partners, relations with China, and legislation.
Date: November 26, 2014
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses policy issues regarding military-to-military contacts with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and provides a record of major contacts and crises since 1993. The first part of this report discusses policy issues regarding such contacts. The second part provides a record of such contacts since 1993, when the United States resumed exchanges after suspending them in response to the Tiananmen Crackdown in 1989.
Date: July 29, 2014
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations and Issues for Congress

Description: This report examines the issues related to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the state and substance of the negotiations (to the degree that the information is publically available), the specific areas under negotiation, the policy and economic contexts in which the TPP would fit, and the issues for Congress that the TPP presents.
Date: November 19, 2014
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F.; McMinimy, Mark A. & Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments

Description: This report discusses the strategic significance of Guam for defense buildup and the force relocation and deployments from the U.S. mainland. It also discusses the concerns and issues for Congress, such as allies and partners, relations with China, and legislation.
Date: October 28, 2014
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: Recent Trends and FY2015 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of U.S. assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines historical and recent trends in aid to the region as well as the Obama Administration's FY2015 request for State Department and U.S Agency for International Development (USAID)-administered assistance. It also tracks congressional action on foreign aid appropriations for Latin America and the Caribbean in FY2015, and raises questions Congress may consider as it appropriates funding for the region. more
Date: September 10, 2014
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Comparison of Current Proposals in Brief

Description: This report discusses the armed offensive militants of the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS) in northern and western Iraq and northeastern Syria that has raised significant concerns for the United States.
Date: November 6, 2014
Creator: Weed, Matthew C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Description: This report discusses the reasons that Iran is considered a threat to U.S. security, including Iran's nuclear program, involvement with terrorist organizations, and involvement with neighboring countries' local governments. It also discusses ways in which the U.S. hopes to modify Iran's behavior with sanctions, and the effectiveness of these sanctions.
Date: December 17, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Brazil-U.S. Relations

Description: This report analyzes Brazil's political, economic, and social conditions, and how those conditions affect its role in the region and its relationship with the United States.
Date: September 7, 2014
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides an overview of Jordanian politics and current issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations. It provides a brief discussion of Jordan's government and economy and of its cooperation with U.S. policy objectives in the Middle East, including the promotion of Arab- Israeli peace.
Date: December 2, 2014
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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President Obama's November 2014 Visit to China: The Bilateral Agreements

Description: This report discusses President Obama's visit to China, in November-10-12. The purpose of the visit was focused on increasing cooperation on global and regional challenges such as climate change, global economic governance, non-proliferation, and pandemic diseases like Ebola; improving the military-to-military relationship; and expanding business and people-to-people ties.
Date: November 13, 2014
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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