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The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the problems facing Iraq as the Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL/ISIS) gains power in the region. IS is a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that has expanded its control over areas of northwestern Iraq and northeastern Syria since 2013, threatening the security of both countries and drawing increased attention from the international community. The Islamic State has thrived in the disaffected Sunni Muslim-inhabit… more
Date: December 8, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Humud, Carla E.; Margesson, Rhoda & Weed, Matthew C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: The 2012 Election Reforms

Description: This report covers the importance of the democratization of Hong Kong to U.S. foreign policy as well as to Hong Kong itself. It specifically looks at two recent election changes which indicate the Hong Kong government's willingness to press for democratic reforms and also give more power to current government officials over incumbent officials.
Date: June 18, 2010
Creator: Martin, Michael F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the relationship between the United States and Japan, including Japanese efforts to support the U.S. in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks and the two countries' economic ties, especially with regards to the recent economic downturn. This report also discusses the general political atmosphere of Japan, including the recent and ongoing political turmoil in Tokyo.
Date: July 30, 2010
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Cooper, William H. & Manyin, Mark E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant political and economic influence as the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large energy reserves. This report provides background information about Saudi Arabia and analyzes current issues in U.S.-Saudi relations.
Date: June 14, 2010
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: While historically the United States has had close relations with Venezuela, a major oil supplier, friction in bilateral relations rose over the past decade under the leftist populist government of President Hugo Chávez, who died in March 2013. This report examines Venezuela's political and economic climate and then discusses the U.S.'s policy in relation to the state.
Date: June 10, 2014
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Independent Evaluators of Federal Programs: Approaches, Devices, and Examples

Description: Congress and the executive, as well as outside organizations, have long been attentive to the evaluation of federal programs, with frequent interest paid to the independent status of the evaluator. This interest continues into the current era, with numerous illustrations of the multifaceted approaches adopted and proposed. This report focuses on examples of independent evaluators (IEs): when an evaluation is to be conducted by an entity outside the immediate organization that is responsible for… more
Date: August 16, 2010
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M. & Brass, Clinton T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Mexican Economy After the Global Financial Crisis

Description: This report provides an overview of Mexico's economy post-financial crisis, effects of the global economic downturn, structural and other challenges in the Mexican economy, and implications for the United States.
Date: September 9, 2010
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges Ahead

Description: This report discusses the current political conditions of Kenya, which has long been an important ally of the United States. The report focuses particularly on the December 2007 elections, which many international observers have declared as rigged and deeply flawed. The report also discusses violence that erupted once election results were announced, as well as U.S. efforts to urge Kenya toward election reforms.
Date: July 29, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Libya: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report discusses the recent revolution in Libya, from its 2011 uprising to the end of the Qadhafi era. It specifically looks at Libya's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) disarmament, political reform and human rights, and energy as it relates to the Libyan economy.
Date: July 16, 2010
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Iran, focusing particularly on the influence of the Taliban and other militant groups and on the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This report also discusses the U.S.-Iran relationship and U.S. efforts under the Obama Administration to provide military, reconstructive, and stabilization aid.
Date: December 29, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

Description: This report provides a brief overview of the early history of the negotiations to reunify Cyprus, a more detailed review of the negotiations since 2008, and a description of some of the issues involved in the talks. A side issue involving trade between the European Union and Turkish Cyprus is also addressed.
Date: September 10, 2010
Creator: Morelli, Vincent
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Morocco: Current Issues

Description: This report discusses the current political and foreign policy status of Morocco, especially with regard to its relationship with the United States and its struggles combating terrorism.
Date: December 20, 2010
Creator: Migdalovitz, Carol
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

Description: This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: August 24, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The "Islamic State" Crisis and U.S. Policy

Description: This report examines the current crisis in Iraq regarding the Islamic State, a transnational Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group that has expanded its control over areas of parts of Iraq and Syria since 2013. There is debate over the degree to which the Islamic State organization might represent a direct terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland or to U.S. facilities and personnel in the region.
Date: November 12, 2014
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Humud, Carla E.; Margesson, Rhoda; Tiersky, Alex & Weed, Matthew C.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by the Al Saud family since its founding in 1932, wields significant political and economic influence as the birthplace of the Islamic faith and by virtue of its large energy reserves. This report provides background information about Saudi Arabia and analyzes current issues in U.S.-Saudi relations.
Date: April 30, 2009
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Zimbabwe: Background

Description: This report provides background on events leading up to and surrounding the country's most recent elections, in March and June 2008.
Date: July 8, 2010
Creator: Ploch, Lauren
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Kenya: Current Conditions and the Challenges Ahead

Description: This report discusses the current political conditions of Kenya, which has long been an important ally of the United States. The report focuses particularly on the December 2007 elections, which many international observers have declared as rigged and deeply flawed. The report also discusses violence that erupted once election results were announced, as well as U.S. efforts to urge Kenya toward election reforms.
Date: December 9, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Turkey: Politics of Identity and Power

Description: This report provides an overview of economic situation, demographics, historical context and political situation in Turkey. The report discusses the role of the military in Turkey, the Kurdish issue, press freedom, and future political possibilities.
Date: August 13, 2010
Creator: Migdalovitz, Carol
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Venezuela: Issues in the 111th Congress

Description: This report discusses U.S.-Venezuela relations, including an historical overview. It also discusses the current political conditions in Venezuela, and certain Venezuela-related concerns the 111th Congress faces, such as Venezuela's human rights situation and its deepening relations with Iran.
Date: September 3, 2010
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

Description: This report discusses attempts to resolve the political division of Cyprus that have occurred over the last 45 years. Current issues include the Republic of Cyprus receiving EU presidency in July 2012 and a recent discovery of natural gas deposits off the southern coast of Cyprus.
Date: January 3, 2013
Creator: Morelli, Vincent
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iraq: Politics, Elections, and Benchmarks

Description: This report provides an overview of Iraq's political transition from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein to a plural polity that encompasses varying sects and ideological and political factions. This report also addresses ongoing governmental instabilities and their causes, as well as U.S. concerns about possible Iranian influence in Iraq as U.S. forces depart the country.
Date: December 22, 2010
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

Description: This report discusses attempts to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunify the island which have undergone various levels of negotiation for almost 40 years. Prospects for a settlement that would end the political division of Cyprus appear to have reached a stalemate and may now enter a period of retrenchment possibly dominated by harder-line views by both sides and more difficult negotiations.
Date: March 23, 2010
Creator: Morelli, Vincent
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cuba: Issues for the 111th Congress

Description: This report discusses the current political conditions of Cuba, as well as its relationship with the United States. In particular, the report focuses on U.S. policy regarding Cuba, including various economic sanctions, human rights issues, and foreign aid appropriations.
Date: July 16, 2010
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace

Description: This report discusses the political climate of Somalia, which has undergone extreme unrest for years. The report focuses on events since October 2002, including the formation of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in 2007 and the TFG's cooperation with the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) in 2008. The report also discusses the U.S. relationship with Somalia under the Obama Administration, including U.S. economic assistance given to Somalia and U.S. efforts to contain Somalian terrorist grou… more
Date: August 6, 2010
Creator: Dagne, Ted
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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