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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations

Description: This report provides information on legislative provisions restricting relations with Cuba. It lists the various provisions of law comprising economic sanctions on Cuba, including key laws that are the statutory basis of the embargo, and provides information on the authority to lift or waive these restrictions.
Date: February 13, 2015
Creator: Rennack, Dianne E. & Sullivan, Mark P.
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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Border Security: Immigration Inspections at Ports of Entry

Description: This report reviews the legislative history of immigration inspections requirements and the entry-exit system. The report then describes the implementation of these provisions, including pre-travel screening, primary and secondary inspections, trusted traveler programs, outbound enforcement, and the entry-exit system. The final section of the report identifies a number of issues for Congress related to immigration admissions and enforcement at ports of entry (POEs).
Date: January 26, 2015
Creator: Seghetti, Lisa
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense: FY2015 Authorization and Appropriations

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 publicly 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: January 30, 2015
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F.; McMinimy, Mark A. & Williams, Brock R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress

Description: A shift in the international security environment could have significant implications for U.S. defense plans and programs. A previous shift in the international security environment--from the Cold War to the post-Cold War era--prompted a broad reassessment by the Department of Defense (DOD) and Congress of defense funding levels, strategy, and missions that led to numerous changes in DOD plans and programs. The issue for Congress is whether a shift in the international security environment ha… more
Date: January 21, 2015
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Unaccompanied Children from Central America: Foreign Policy Considerations

Description: This report examines policy considerations for Congress in response to the recent influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from Central American countries being apprehended at the U.S. border. The report also discusses current policy framework and the Obama Administration's diplomatic response.
Date: February 10, 2015
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.; Seelke, Claire Ribando; Taft-Morales, Maureen & Margesson, Rhoda
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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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: January 26, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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In Re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001: Claims Against Saudi Defendants Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)

Description: This report summarizes the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) and jurisdiction in cases against foreign defendants and analyzes the court of appeals decision. It also discusses legislative efforts to address these issues(S. 1535 and H.R. 3143).
Date: January 22, 2015
Creator: Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Terrorism Risk Insurance Legislation in the 114th Congress: Issue Summary and Side-by-Side Analysis

Description: This report briefly outlines the issues involved with terrorism insurance, summarizes extension legislation, and includes a side-by-side comparison of Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA; P.L. 107-297) law and the bills introduced in the 114th and 113th Congresses.
Date: January 20, 2015
Creator: Webel, Baird
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Palestinians: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides an overview of current issues in U.S.-Palestinian relations. It also contains an overview of Palestinian society and politics and descriptions of key Palestinian individuals and groups--chiefly the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian Authority (PA), Fatah, Hamas, and the Palestinian refugee population.
Date: February 10, 2015
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
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 toward Cuba, and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations. While legislative initiatives are noted throughout the report where appropriate, a final section of the report provides a listing of bills and resolutions introduced in the 114th Congress.
Date: February 27, 2015
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Peace Talks in Colombia

Description: This report provides background on Colombia's armed conflict and describes its key players. It briefly analyzes prior negotiations with the FARC and the lessons learned from those efforts that apply to the current talks. It examines what has transpired in the talks during more than two years of closed door sessions. The report also examines some of the constraints that could limit the success of the peace talks and looks at the prospects for the current negotiations.
Date: February 6, 2015
Creator: Beittel, June S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Trafficking in Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean

Description: This report describes the nature and scope of the problem of human trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean, including U.S. efforts to deal with trafficking in persons in the region, as well as the successes and failures of some recent country and regional antitrafficking efforts. The report concludes by raising issues that may be helpful for the 113th Congress to consider as it continues to address human trafficking as part of its authorization, appropriations, and oversight activities.
Date: February 11, 2015
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare
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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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: March 18, 2015
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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