Congressional Research Service Reports - 2,591 Matching Results
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- Nonproliferation and Threat Reduction Assistance: U.S. Programs in the Former Soviet Union
- This report summarizes many issues raised in Congressional debates on the future of U.S. nonproliferation and threat reduction assistance. However, it first reviews the history of these programs, describing their origins in 1991, their expansion and evolution during the 1990s, and the changes in their direction during the first two years of the Bush Administration. The report also provides a broad summary of many of the program areas and projects supported by U.S. funding.
- Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
- This report looks at the background and current status of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was formed to increase international cooperation in interdicting shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- This report discusses a new development bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), launched by China that is posing a challenge to U.S. policymakers.
- U.S. Embassy in Iraq
- This report discusses issues with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq such as the potential rising cost, delay in opening, quality of construction, and reported assertions of trafficking-like labor practices by First Kuwaiti General Trade and Contracting Company, the primary builder of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
- Kosovo: Review and Analysis of Policy Objectives, 1998-June 1999
- This report provides an overview of U.S. and international policy objectives in Kosovo from 1998 to mid-1999, when NATO ended an 11-week air strike operation against Yugoslavia (Serbia) and began to deploy a U.N.-authorized peacekeeping force in Kosovo. It reviews stated objectives at various points during this period. It provides an analysis of how certain policy objectives evolved and discusses the extent to which they were or were not achieved.
- U.S.- Thailand Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
- This report examines Thailand’s economy and trade orientation, the scope and significance of the U.S.-Thai commercial relationship, and the likely top issues in the negotiations. The report concludes with a short summary of the Congressional role and interest in the FTA.
- United Nations Reform: U.S. Policy and International Perspectives
- This report focuses on U.N. reform efforts and priorities from the perspective of several key actors, including the U.S. government, the U.N. Secretary-General, selected member states, and a cross-section of groups tasked with addressing U.N. reform. It also examines congressional actions related to U.N. reform, as well as future policy considerations.
- The United Nations Human Rights Council: Issues for Congress
- This report provides historical background of the Council, including the role of the previous Commission. It discusses the Council's current mandate and structure, as well as U.S. policy and congressional actions.
- Organization of American States: A Primer
- This report provides a background on the Organization of American States (OAS), which is an international organization based in Washington, D.C., comprised of 35 Western Hemisphere states. The OAS works to promote democracy, protect human rights, preserve security, expand trade, and address cross-cutting issues of hemispheric concern.
- Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation
- This report summarizes the history of the military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines. The report connects this to the terrorist actions of Abu Sayyaf and his relationship to Al Qaeda specifically. Finally, the report discusses the military pressure the Philippine government has put on Abu Sayyaf and the challenges these operations face.
- U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques
- This report discusses the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) requires signatory parties to take measures to end torture within their territorial jurisdiction and to criminalize all acts of torture.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Issues for U.S. Policy
- This report outlines the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords and its ramifications on Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also discusses the countries ties to the United States.
- Greece: Election and Aftermath
- This report outlines Greece's election of 2000 and the odd circumstances surrounding it. It also discusses the aftermath of the unusual election.
- Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" or trade promotion authority (APA) legislation in the 107th Congress. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" or trade promotion authority (APA) legislation in the 107th Congress. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" or trade promotion authority (APA) legislation in the 107th Congress. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge: Russian Concerns and U.S. Interests
- This report delves into the complex and tumultuous relationship between Georgia and Russia. It provides background of the two countries interactions, analysis of recent developments, speculation regarding U.S. interest in the perceived conflict.
- China: Economic Sanctions
- This report discusses the various economic sanctions the U.S. has placed on China.
- Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation
- This report summarizes the history of the military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines. The report connects this to the terrorist actions of Abu Sayyaf and his relationship to Al Qaeda specifically. Finally, the report discusses the military pressure the Philippine government has put on Abu Sayyaf and the challenges these operations face.
- Acceptance of Gifts by Members and Employees of the House of Representatives Under New Ethics Rules of the 110th Congress
- This report discusses the new rules the 110th Congress adopted for the House of Representatives in regard to the receipt of gifts from lobbyists, foreign agents, and most of their private clients. There were also new rules placed on travel paid by outside private sources. These rules are designed to provide further transparency in the House.
- Honduran-U.S. Relations
- This report analyzes key factors affecting international politics between Honduras and the United States.
- Africa: Trade and Development Initiatives by the Clinton Administration and Congress
- This report summarizes legislation in Congress that President Clinton suggested concerning trade in Africa. Specifically, President Clinton called on Congress during his State of the Union address to pass the legislation.
- U.S. Foreign Assistance
- This report provides a brief summary introducing key fundamentals to acquiring foreign assistance from the U.S.
- Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" or trade promotion authority (APA) legislation in the 107th Congress. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- Acceptance of Gifts by Members and Employees of the House of Representatives Under New Ethics Rules of the 110th Congress
- This report discusses the new rules the 110th Congress adopted for the House of Representatives in regard to the receipt of gifts from lobbyists, foreign agents, and most of their private clients. There were also new rules placed on travel paid by outside private sources. These rules are designed to provide further transparency in the House.
- Agriculture in the WTO: Limits on Domestic Support
- This report provides a brief overview of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) commitments most relevant for U.S. domestic farm policy.
- African-American Participation At The United Nations
- This report discusses the variety of roles African Americans have played at the United Nations, and their impact. Moreover, the report details several distinct cases in which African Americans played key roles in peace talks.
- Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority
- This report considers the issue of new "fast track" or trade promotion authority (APA) legislation in the 107th Congress. Moreover, the report summarizes the agricultural debates on the issue.
- FY2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for International Affairs
- Congress approved an FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764) during the week of December 17, 2007, that included some emergency supplemental funding for international affairs requested by the White House. This report analyzes the international affairs portion of the request and tracks related legislative activity.
- Trafficking in Persons: International Dimensions and Foreign Policy Issues for Congress
- This report explores current foreign policy issues confronting U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking, the interrelationship among existing polices, and the historical and current role of Congress in such efforts. Given recent challenges in balancing budget priorities, the 112th Congress may choose to consider certain aspects of this issue further, including the effectiveness of international anti-trafficking projects, interagency coordination mechanisms, and the monitoring and enforcement of anti-trafficking regulations, particularly as they relate to the activities of U.S. government contractors and subcontractors operating overseas.
- Burma: Economic Sanctions
- This report provides background information on existing economic sanctions against Burma and possible options to expand sanctions.
- World Heritage Convention and U.S. National Parks
- This report describes the operation of the UNESCO Convention and will be updated periodically. The World Heritage Fund provides technical assistance to countries requesting help in protecting World Heritage sites.
- Appropriations for FY2003: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
- Annual report of the 2003 Fiscal Year detailing U.S. international affairs spending.
- President Obama's $1 Billion Foreign Aid Request for Central America
- This report discusses the Obama Administration's recent request for over $1 billion in foreign assistance during FY2016 to support a whole-of-government "U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America."
- Iran Nuclear Agreement
- This report provides background on the agreement negotiated by Iran and six other countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany--collectively known as the P5+1) regarding Iran's nuclear program, and discusses the implications for U.S.-Iran relations.
- El Salvador: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report examines El Salvador's recent history, as well as its current political, economic, and security/human rights challenges. It then analyzes key issues in U.S.-Salvadoran relations.
- International Trade and Finance: Key Policy Issues for the 114th Congress, 2nd Session
- This report provides a brief overview of some of the trade and finance issues that may come before the second session of the 114th Congress.
- Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report looks at Kuwait's relationships with its neighbors in the Persian Gulf, and its own political system which has been in turmoil since 2006. Kuwait remains pivotal to U.S. efforts to secure the Persian Gulf region because of its willingness to cooperate with U.S. strategy and military operations in the region and its proximity to both Iran and Iraq.
- Border Security Metrics Between Ports of Entry
- This report provides background and information about performance and operational metrics related to U.S. border security as well as issues for Congressional consideration.
- The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Strategic Implications
- This report discusses selected strategic arguments related to the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The potential impacts of the agreement may be an active area of debate during the second session of the 114th Congress.
- Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation
- This report provides an overview and policy analysis of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines and the Philippine-U.S. program of military cooperation against it. It examines the origins and operations of Abu Sayyaf, the efforts of the Philippine government and military to eliminate it, and the implications of a greater U.S. military role in attempts to suppress it.
- Iran-U.S. Air Service Not Imminent
- This report discusses the prospect of air travel between Iran and the U.S., which last operated during 1979, when the U.S. government imposed an embargo on flights following the Iran hostage crisis. Since then, travel and air cargo shipments between the two countries have been routed through third countries, and their extent has been limited by U.S. sanctions.
- Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions
- This report identifies the legislative bases for sanctions imposed on Iran, and the nature of the authority to waive or lift those restrictions. It comprises two tables that present legislation and executive orders that are specific to Iran and its objectionable activities in the areas of terrorism, human rights, and weapons proliferation.
- Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress
- 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.
- Border Security: Key Agencies and Their Missions
- This report serves as a primer on the key federal agencies charged with border security by briefly describing each agency's role in securing our nation's borders. The four main agencies are the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the United States Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- The Middle East Peace Talks
- This report examines the current climate regarding peace talks in the Middle East. Congress is interested in the peace talks because of its oversight role in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, its support for Israel, and keen constituent interest. It is concerned about U.S. financial and other commitments and the Palestinians' fulfillment of their commitments to Israel.
- Combating Terrorism: First Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Distribution of Funds to Departments and Agencies
- This report provides background on the 2001 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States, P.L. 107-38 (H.R. 2888) as well as the criteria for use of the funds developed by The Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It also outlines information about supplemental fund distributions in three tables.
- Border Security: Fences Along the U.S. International Border
- This report outlines the issues involved with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) completion of the San Diego border fence and highlights some of the major legislative and administrative developments regarding the construction of new border fences.
- Overview of Labor Enforcement Issues in Free Trade Agreements
- This report discusses free trade agreements (FTAs) that have enforceable labor provisions, grouped into four model types. It outlines the provisions for each and identifies two types of labor enforcement issues: (1) those that relate to the FTA provisions themselves, including their definitions and their enforceability, and (2) those that relate to executive branch responsibilities, such as resource availability and determining dispute settlement case priorities. This report does not address other labor issues in the various free trade agreements, including cooperative consultation and capacity-building provisions.
- IAEA Budget and U.S. Contributions: In Brief
- This report discusses the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) budget and funding. In addition to its other missions, the IAEA is monitoring and verifying Iranian compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and is to report on these activities regularly. The accord is intended to lift nuclear related U.S., European Union, and United Nations sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on the country's nuclear program.