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Dispute Settlement in the World Trade Organization (WTO): An Overview

Description: This report describes the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), which is the World Trade Organization's (WTO) means of resolving disputes arising under WTO agreements. The report includes criticisms of certain flaws in the DSU, as well as WTO Members' suggestions for improvement. The report also describes the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which represents the United States in WTO disputes. Also discussed are pieces of legisl… more
Date: November 2, 2010
Creator: Grimmett, Jeanne J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Hamas: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, is a Palestinian Islamist military and sociopolitical movement that grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni religious and political organization founded in Egypt in 1928 that has branches throughout the world. The United States, Israel, the European Union, and Canada consider Hamas a terrorist organization. The overarching U.S. goal regarding Hamas is to deter, transform, marginalize, or neutralize it so that it no longer presents a threat to Israe… more
Date: December 2, 2010
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA): Provisions and Implications

Description: This report is designed to assist Members of Congress as they consider the costs and benefits of the U.S.-South Korean Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA.) It examines the provisions of the KORUS FTA in the context of the overall U.S.-South Korean economic relationship, U.S. objectives, and South Korean objectives.
Date: May 2, 2011
Creator: Cooper, William H.; Manyin, Mark E.; Jurenas, Remy & Platzer, Michaela D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bosnia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

Description: This report presents an overview of the economic and political situation in Bosnia. It starts out by describing the current situation, the negotiations on forming a new central government, the international role in Bosnia, and the last part discusses the implications of U.S. policy.
Date: May 2, 2011
Creator: Woehrel, Steven
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Latin America: Terrorism Issues

Description: U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America intensified in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, with an increase in bilateral and regional cooperation. Over the past several years, policymakers have been concerned about Iran's increasing activities in Latin America, particularly its relations with Venezuela, although there has been disagreement over the extent and significance of Iran's relations with the region. In the 112th Congress, several initi… more
Date: March 2, 2012
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Imports from North Korea: Existing Rules, Implications of the KORUS FTA, and the Kaesong Industrial Complex

Description: This report discusses the implications from the U.S.-South Korean Free Trade Agreement on aspects of U.S. business, particularly the auto industry.
Date: June 2, 2011
Creator: Manyin, Mark E.; Grimmett, Jeanne J.; Jones, Vivian C.; Nanto, Dick K.; Platzer, Michaela D. & Rennack, Dianne E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Monitoring and Verification in Arms Control

Description: This report reviews some of the monitoring and verification provisions in the new START Treaty between the U.S. and Russia and compares these with some of the provisions in the original START Treaty. It focuses, specifically, on differences between the treaties in the provisions governing the exchange of data, known as telemetry, generated during missile flight tests; provisions governing the monitoring of mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs); and differences in the numbers and ty… more
Date: July 2, 2011
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Set to Expire February 28, 2010

Description: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a statutory framework by which government agencies may, when gathering foreign intelligence investigation, obtain authorization to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches, utilize pen registers and trap and trace devices, or access specified business records and other tangible things. This report discusses three sunsetting amendments of FISA which include the "Lone Wolf" provision, "roving" wiretaps, and access to business r… more
Date: March 2, 2010
Creator: Henning, Anna C. & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2011 Budget and Appropriations

Description: On February 1, 2010, President Obama submitted a budget proposal for FY2011 that requests $58.49 billion for the international affairs budget, a 16% increase over the enacted FY2010 funding level. This report analyzes the FY2011 request, recent-year funding trends, and congressional action related to FY2011 State-Foreign Operations legislation.
Date: July 2, 2010
Creator: Lawson, Marian Leonardo; Epstein, Susan B. & Nakamura, Kennon H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The U.S. Congress and the European Parliament: Evolving Transatlantic Legislative Cooperation

Description: This report provides background on the Congress-EP relationship and the role of the TLD. It also explores potential future options that could be considered during the 113th Congress should an effort to strengthen ties between the two bodies gain momentum.
Date: January 2, 2013
Creator: Archick, Kristin & Morelli, Vincent
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11

Description: In the ninth year of operations since the 9/11 attacks while troops are being withdrawn in Iraq and increased in Afghanistan, the cost of war continues to be a major issue including the total amount appropriated, the amount for each operation, average monthly spending rates, and the scope and duration of future costs. This report analyzes war funding for the Defense Department and tracks funding for USAID and VA Medical funding.
Date: September 2, 2010
Creator: Belasco, Amy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran: Interim Nuclear Agreement and Talks on a Comprehensive Accord

Description: This report discusses the nuclear agreement talks between Iran and the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany -- collectively known as the "P5+1 -- which finalized an interim agreement ("Joint Plan of Action," JPA) requiring Iran to freeze many aspects of its nuclear program in exchange for relief from some international sanctions.
Date: February 2, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Kerr, Paul K. & Nikitin, Mary Beth D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Criminal Court Cases in Africa: Status and Policy Issues

Description: This report provides background on current International Criminal Court (ICC) cases and examines issues raised by the ICC's actions in Africa, including the potential deterrence of future abuses and the potential impact on African peace processes.
Date: April 2, 2010
Creator: Arieff, Alexis; Margesson, Rhoda & Browne, Marjorie Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report covers policy issues in areas such as: U.S. trade negotiations; U.S. trade and economic relations with regions and countries; international trade institutions; tariff and nontariff barriers; worker dislocation from trade liberalization; trade remedy laws; import and export policies; international investment; economic sanctions; and trade policy functions of the federal government.
Date: January 2, 2015
Creator: Irace, Mary A. & Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Chemical Regulation in the European Union: Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals

Description: This report discusses the EU's new law governing chemicals in EU commerce, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It is intended to protect human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals while at the same time protecting the competitiveness of European industry.
Date: February 2, 2010
Creator: Schierow, Linda-Jo
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2010 Budget and Appropriations

Description: This report analyzes the FY2010 request, recent-year funding trends, and congressional action for FY2010, which includes the July 9 House approval of H.R. 3081, the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY2010, July 9 Senate Appropriations Committee passage of its bill (S. 1434), and passage of H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, signed into law Dec. 16, 2009 (P.L. 111-117).
Date: February 2, 2010
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.; Nakamura, Kennon H. & Lawson, Marian Leonardo
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Arms Control Ratification: Opportunities for Modifying Agreements

Description: This report briefly examines arms control ratification and opportunities for modifying agreements. On July 14, 2015, Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany (the P5+1) finalized a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)--an agreement that restricts Iran's nuclear program in an effort to ensure that it can only be used for peaceful purposes.
Date: September 2, 2015
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Iran Hostages: Efforts to Obtain Compensation

Description: This report outlines the history of various efforts relating to benefits for victims of the 1979-1981 Iran Hostage Crisis, and describes several bills currently before Congress: the Justice for Former American Hostages in Iran Act of 2015, S. 868, a companion bill, H.R. 3338, and Section 122 of the Department of State Operations Authorization and Embassy Security Act, Fiscal Year 2016, S. 1635.
Date: November 2, 2015
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention

Description: This report provides material on the latest crisis in Yemen and the U.S. policy response. To date, more than 100 Saudi soldiers and 50 UAE troops have been killed in the war--the highest death toll for the UAE in any military operation abroad since the country was founded in 1971.
Date: October 2, 2015
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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