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Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy in Brief

Description: This report provides an overview of current political and military dynamics, with a focus on the Trump Administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia, the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan military operations, and recent political developments, including prospects for peace talks and elections.
Date: March 5, 2018
Creator: Thomas, Clayton
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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Balancing Tourism against Terrorism: The Visa Waiver Program

Description: This report briefly discusses Congress's concern that some foreign fighters might exploit the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to enter the United States and commit acts of terrorism. The VWP allows eligible visitors from 38 European nations and a few prosperous Asia-Pacific countries to enter the United States for short business or leisure stays without first obtaining a visa from a U.S. consulate abroad.
Date: March 13, 2015
Creator: Platzer, Michaela D. & Siskin, Alison
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol

Description: This report discusses the United States Border Patrol's history as our nation's first line of defense against unauthorized migration. Today, the USBP's primary mission is to detect and prevent the entry of terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and illegal aliens into the country, and to interdict drug smugglers and other criminals along the border.
Date: March 3, 2010
Creator: Haddal, Chad C.
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: March 5, 2010
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Central America Regional Security Initiative: Background and Policy Issues for Congress

Description: This report examines the extent of the security problems in Central America, the current efforts being undertaken by Central American governments to address them, and U.S. support for Central American efforts through the Central America Regional Security Initiative. It also raises potential policy issues for congressional consideration such as funding levels, human rights concerns, and how the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) relates to other U.S. government policies.
Date: March 30, 2011
Creator: Meyer, Peter J. & Ribando Seelke, Clare
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Closing the Guantanamo Detention Center: Legal Issues

Description: This report provides an overview of major legal issues that are likely to arise as a result of executive and legislative action to close the Guantanamo detention facility. It discusses legal issues related to the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees, the continued detention of such persons in the United States, and the possible removal of persons brought to the United States. It considers selected constitutional issues that may arise in the criminal prosecution of detainees. Issues discu… more
Date: March 28, 2011
Creator: Garcia, Michael John; Elsea, Jennifer K.; Mason, R. Chuck & Liu, Edward C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard's programs for procuring 8 National Security Cutters (NSCs), 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs), and 58 Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). The Coast Guard's proposed FY2017 budget requests a total of $467 million in acquisition funding for the three programs.
Date: March 22, 2016
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Conducting Foreign Relations Without Authority: The Logan Act

Description: This report discusses the Logan Act, which was intended to prohibit United States citizens without authority from interfering in relations between the United States and foreign governments. There has been renewed interest in the Logan Act in 2015 as the result of a letter signed by 47 U.S. Senators to Iran suggesting that negotiations about a nuclear deal between the President and the Iranian leadership would be an executive agreement that another President or Congress would be able to abrogate. more
Date: March 11, 2015
Creator: Seitzinger, Michael V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cote d'Ivoire's Post-Election Crisis

Description: This report discusses the recent political instability in Côte d'Ivoire, which has surfaced most recently in February 2011, and stems from a contested November 28, 2010, presidential election. This report discusses background information on Côte d'Ivoire's long struggle toward peace, political stability, and democratic governance. This report also addresses U.S. interests regarding Côte d'Ivoire's stability and democratic progress.
Date: March 9, 2011
Creator: Cook, Nicolas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Côte d'Ivoire's Post-Election Crisis

Description: This report discusses the contested November 28, 2010, presidential election runoff election in Côte d'Ivoire. Laurent Gbagbo and his rival, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, both continue to claim to have won the runoff and to exercise exclusive national executive authority, and to attempt to consolidate their control over state institutions. An increase in armed conflicts in late February 2011, among other indicators, signals the possible outbreak of a renewed civil war. This report d… more
Date: March 29, 2011
Creator: Cook, Nicolas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Côte d'Ivoire's Post-Election Crisis

Description: This report discusses the contested November 28, 2010, presidential election runoff election in Côte d'Ivoire. Laurent Gbagbo and his rival, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, both continue to claim to have won the runoff and to exercise exclusive national executive authority, and to attempt to consolidate their control over state institutions. An increase in armed conflicts in late February 2011, among other indicators, signals the possible outbreak of a renewed civil war. This report d… more
Date: March 15, 2011
Creator: Cook, Nicolas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress

Description: This report is divided into three major sections analyzing Cuba's political and economic environment, U.S. policy, and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations. While legislative initiatives are noted throughout the report, a final section of the report provides a listing of bills and resolutions introduced in the 114th Congress.
Date: March 15, 2016
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Department of State and Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Fact Sheet on Legislation, FY1995-FY2015

Description: This report discusses the foreign affairs appropriations passed within the last 21 years; nearly all of them were passed within omnibus, consolidated, or full-year continuing resolutions, and usually after the start of the new fiscal year. Many foreign policy experts contend that stand-alone appropriation legislation would allow for a more rigorous debate on specific foreign policy activities. They also believe that the practice of delayed appropriations has constrained ongoing program operatin… more
Date: March 24, 2015
Creator: Epstein, Susan B.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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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: March 10, 2011
Creator: Grimmett, Jeanne J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Election in Italy

Description: This report discusses the results of the Italian Parliamentary election on March 4, 2018 which ended with no party gaining a majority making a coalition necessary. Populist parties gained a significant number of seats and implications of their rise to power for Italy, the EU, NATO, and the U.S. are discussed.
Date: March 8, 2018
Creator: Belkin, Paul
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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European Security and Islamist Terrorism

Description: This report discusses challenges the European Union faces in light of the continuing threat of Terrorism at the hands of the Islamic State and the implications for U.S. policy.
Date: March 29, 2016
Creator: Archick, Kristin & Belkin, Paul
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The European Union: Leadership Changes Resulting from the Lisbon Treaty

Description: This report discusses EU foreign policy decisions of a political or security-related nature that require unanimous intergovernmental agreement among the 27 member states. And many other issues which may relate to external affairs, however, EU members have agreed to pool their decision-making sovereignty. A number of additional EU actors often have particular relevance in these matters.
Date: March 3, 2010
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Europe's Preferential Trade Agreements: Status, Content, and Implications

Description: The first section of this report describes the status and primary motivations of the EU's preferential trade agreements (PTAs) currently in place or under negotiation. The second compares the content and trade coverage of Europe's PTAs to U.S. PTAs. A third section assesses the implications of the EU's PTA program for the multilateral trading system and U.S. trade policy. A concluding section evaluates future directions for Europe's PTA policy.
Date: March 22, 2010
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Europe's Preferential Trade Agreements: Status, Content, and Implications

Description: This report explores intersecting issues regarding Europe's preferential trade agreements (PTA) in three parts. The first section discusses the status and primary motivations of the EU's PTAs currently in place or under negotiation. The second compares the content and trade coverage of Europe's PTAs to U.S. PTAs. A third section assesses the implications of the EU's PTA program for the multilateral trading system and U.S. trade policy. A concluding section evaluates future directions for Europe… more
Date: March 3, 2011
Creator: Ahearn, Raymond J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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