Congressional Research Service Reports - 2,591 Matching Results
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- U.S. Decision to Cease Implementing the Iran Nuclear Agreement
- This report analyzes the Trump Administration's decision to pullout from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its potential implications. The other powers that negotiated the accord with Iran--Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany--have consistently asserted that the JCPOA is succeeding in its core objectives and that its implementation should not be jeopardized.
- Mongolia
- This report provides an overview of U.S.-Mongolia relations and the politics and economy of Mongolia.
- 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 includes 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.
- Iran Sanctions
- This report discusses U.S. sanctions against Iran and the 2016 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement which led to the lifting of sanctions based on nuclear proliferation in Iran. The bulk of the report outlines the various sanctions against Iran and their current implementation status, international efforts to bring about compliance, and their effects. Recent discussions regarding President's Trump announcement that the U.S. was decertifying the nuclear agreement and the possibility of reinstating certain sanctions are also discussed.
- Enforcing U.S. Trade Laws: Section 301 and China
- This report discusses the Trump Administration's decision to proceed with a Section 301 case against China's intellectual property rights (IPR) policies and their intent to impose 25% ad valorem tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese products. It also looks at past use of Section 301 against China.
- Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Focus on the Politics of Energy
- This report discusses Greek and Turkish Cyprus's disputes over the natural gas deposits found off of the island and their role in Cypriot reunification negotiations.
- Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress
- This report provides background information and issues for Congress on maritime territorial and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) disputes in the East China (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS) involving China, with a focus on how these disputes may affect U.S. strategic and policy interests.
- Russia's 2018 Presidential Election
- This report discusses the 2018 Russian presidential elections and the strict control exercised by the Russian government over the election process and candidates allowed to run. Brief overviews of all the candidates are provided as well as notable absences from the election along with possible plans for the future by President Vladimir Putin.
- Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy in Brief
- 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.
- Cuba After the Castros
- This report discusses the resignation of Raul Castro as president of Cuba and the appointment of a new president who is not a part of the Castro family and possible implications of the change in leadership.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policy and various factors influencing its development and goals.
- Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
- This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria and U.S. policy regarding the conflict and potential resolutions. It includes information on the recent U.S., French, and British joint missile strike in response to the the use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria by Syrian government forces.
- Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention
- This report provides information on the ongoing crisis in Yemen where Saudi Arabia and members of a coalition it established have been engaged in military operations against an alliance composed of the Houthi movement and loyalists of the previous President, Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015.
- The United Kingdom: Background, Brexit, and Relations with the United States
- This report discusses the United Kingdom's relations with the U.S., current political situation, and the Brexit negotiations.
- The Balkans and Russia
- This report discusses relations between Russia and the Balkan countries of southeast Europe. Efforts by Russia to gain influence and hinder the Balkan countries in their relations with the EU through "soft power" and intelligence activities are discussed.
- The European Union: Questions and Answers
- This report serves as a primer on the EU. Despite the UK's vote to leave the EU, the UK remains a full member of the bloc until it completes withdrawal negotiations and officially exits the EU (expected to occur in March 2019). As such, this report largely addresses the EU and its institutions as they currently exist. It also briefly describes U.S.-EU political and economic relations that may be of interest in the 115th Congress.
- China's Economic Rise: History, Trends, Challenges, and Implications for the United States
- This report discusses Chinese economic development in recent years implications for the United States.
- A Peace Treaty with North Korea?
- This report discusses the recent comments and upcoming summits between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States regarding denuclearization and negotiating a formal peace treaty to officially end the Korean War. A brief overview of past attempts to negotiate a peace treaty between the parties in the Korean War is provided and current priorities for a peace treaty are provided.
- Options to Cease Implementing the Iran Nuclear Agreement
- This report discusses the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and various options for possible U.S. withdrawal if President Trump decided to try to reimpose sanctions on Iran.
- Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
- This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria, recent developments in Syria such as the siege of Eastern Ghouta, and U.S. policy toward Syria and involvement in the conflict.
- Iraq: In Brief
- This report discusses political, military, and humanitarian developments in Iraq in 2017 and 2018 such as the defeat of the Islamic State, displaced persons returning home, and upcoming elections.
- Election in Italy
- 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.
- Northern Ireland: Current Issues and Ongoing Challenges in the Peace Process
- This report discusses the history of the implementation of the 1998 "Good Friday" Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland, ongoing challenges in the peace process, initiatives to further peace, and current issues surrounding the collapse of the devolved government and the refusal to form a coalition by either major party and the Brexit negotiations.
- Organization of American States: Background and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the Organization of American States (OAS) which is a regional multilateral organization of all the independent countries in the western hemisphere (except Cuba) that was founded in 1948. Background on the organization, its structure, and current issues in Congress related to it are discussed.
- Administration's Syria Policy Envisions Continued U.S. Presence
- This report discusses the President's plan for U.S. involvement in Syria in the future and the five main goals the U.S. hopes to accomplish there.
- Latin American and the Caribbean: Issues in the 115th Congress
- This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean during the 115th Congress. It begins with background on the region's political and economic environment and then examines U.S. policy toward the region, focusing on the Trump Administration. The report then examines selected regional and country issues, highlighting congressional interest and legislative action. An Appendix lists hearings on the region in the 115th Congress.
- Al Qaeda and U.S. Policy: Middle East and Africa
- This report examines the threat posed by Al Qaeda affiliates in the Middle East and Africa as described by U.S. officials and outside observers, as well as the U.S. approach to date in responding to these threats.
- CRS Products and Experts on North Korea
- This report provides a listing of CRS reports covering various aspects of North Korean policy and U.S. policy toward North Korea.
- TPP Countries Sign New CPTPP Agreement without U.S. Participation
- This report discusses the completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement between 11 countries after the U.S. withdrew from negotiations and its potential effects on U.S. trade in the region.
- Joint-Resolution Seeks to End U.S. Support for Saudi-led Coalition Military Operations in Yemen
- This report discusses Senate Joint Resolution 54 which directs the President to remove U.S. forces from "hostilities in or affecting" Yemen (except for those U.S. forces engaged in counterterrorism operations directed at al Qaeda or associated forces). It provides a brief overview of U.S. involvement in Yemen both militarily and diplomatically through advisement of Saudi Arabia on reducing civilian casulaties and refueling of Saudi planes used in airstrikes.
- TPP Countries Conclude Agreement Without U.S. Participation
- This report discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and the successful conclusion of negotiations between the party countries after the U.S. withdrawal from negotiations.
- A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense-Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the changing international security environment and how the new realities should effect U.S. defense spending and strategy.
- So, Now Can Menachem Zivotofsky Get His Passport Reissued to Say "Israel"?
- This report discusses possible effects of President Trump's announcement of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem for U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem whose passport listed place of birth is simply Jerusalem not Israel.
- Australia, China, and the Indo-Pacific
- This report discusses Australia's relations with China and the changing power dynamics in the Pacific region.
- Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief
- This report provides a brief overview of relations between Turkey and the U.S., Turkish foreign and military policies, and domestic issues in Turkey.
- Northern Ireland, Brexit, and the Irish Border
- This report discusses the issue of Northern Ireland's border with the Republic of Ireland following Brexit and the ongoing negotiations regarding the issue.
- Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive
- This report provides a brief overview of the history of the negotiations regarding reunification of the island of Cyprus and a description of some of the issues involved in those talks.
- Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention
- This report provides information on the ongoing crisis in Yemen. The report includes an overview, information about the latest developments in the conflict, Yemen's participation in the United Nations, and the U.S. response to Yemen's humanitarian access.
- The 2017 National Security Strategy: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) document released by the Trump Administration on December 18, 2017, and its major themes.
- Taylor Force Act: Palestinian Terrorism-Related Payments and U.S. Aid
- This report discusses possible legislation (the Taylor Force Act) that would affect U.S. aid payments to the Palestinian Authority. It provides background on the concerns that money might go toward payments to families accused of terrorism by Israel, as well as a discussion of proposed bills.
- Possible U.S. Policy Approaches to North Korea
- This report describes President Trump's current policy toward North Korea and possible options for future U.S. policy. Options include diplomatic engagement, international and U.S. sanction increases, military strikes, destabilization of the North Korean government through intelligence activities and popular resentment, enhanced military cooperation with allies, and additional funding for preventing arms trading and related trade with North Korea.
- Transatlantic Relations in 2018
- This report discusses the current state of transatlantic relations between the U.S. and Europe and especially the European Union (EU). It also outlines various European concerns over the direction of the Trump Administration and future issues for Congress to consider.
- The Rohingya Crises in Bangladesh and Burma
- This report discusses the Rohingya refugee crisis in Burma and Bangladesh and proposed legislation in Congress regarding restrictions on Burmese military officials, trade, and humanitarian assistance. A brief background on the Rohingya people group, repressive policies by the Burmese government, current conditions in Burma and Bangladesh, risks of radicalization, human rights violations, and attempts by the U.N. and others to resolve the conflict are included in the report.
- Qatar and Its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications
- This report discusses the dispute between Qatar and several of its Gulf State and Arab neighbors led by Saudia Arabia which has resulted in the isolation of Qatar by Saudia Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt. The Saudi-led coalition has accused Qatar of supporting terrorism because of their support for the Muslim Brotherhood. Potential implications of the dispute for the United States are then discussed.
- Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the resignation of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe after a military intervention and the installation of one of his former vice-presidents, Emmanuel Mnangagwa as interim President. Various possible outcomes of the change and possible actions by Congress to advance U.S. interests in the region are discussed.
- Ukraine: Background and U.S. Policy
- This report describes Ukraine's political and governmental structure, economy, relations with the U.S., EU, NATO, and Russia, and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian separatists.
- TPP Countries Near Agreement without U.S. Participation
- This report discuses the negotiations between the signatory countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) after the U.S. withdrawal in January 2017 and possible effects of the implementation of an agreement without the U.S. on the U.S. economy and their image in Asia.
- Zimbabwe: A Military-Compelled Transition?
- This report discusses the military intervention in Zimbabwe which occurred on November 14 and 15th, 2017, and provides a discussion of the main events leading up to the action and possible outcomes.
- A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense-Issues for Congress
- This report discusses the changing international security environment and how the new realities should effect U.S. defense spending and strategy.
- Memorandum on States Obligations Under Additional Protocols to IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements
- This report discusses requirements for states with Additional Protocol Agreements under a Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement (CSA) administered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a part of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. It provides background and information about additional protocol including information required under the Additional Protocol (AP) and locations and access.