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Iraq's New Security Forces: The Challenge of Sectarian and Ethnic Influences

Description: This report analyzes the prospects for rebuilding an inclusive Iraqi security force that transcends Iraq’s various ethnic and sectarian communities. U.S. policy makers and Iraqi officials aim to create a unified Iraqi security force; however, the predominately Sunni Arab insurgency has hampered this effort, and many believe that the new Iraqi security agencies will ultimately be composed of mostly Shiite and Kurdish recruits with both communities separately maintaining their own militias.
Date: January 12, 2006
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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European Union Enlargement

Description: On May 1, 2004, 10 states joined the European Union (EU), enlarging the Union to 25 members. The EU views the enlargement process as an historic opportunity to promote stability in Europe and further the integration of the continent by peaceful means. In addition to the 10 new members (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia), three other states — Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia — hope to accede to the EU by 2007. Turkey is also a ca… more
Date: December 27, 2005
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Protection of Classified Information by Congress: Practices and Proposals

Description: The protection of classified national security and other controlled information is of concern not only to the executive branch, which determines what information is to be safeguarded, for the most part,1 but also to Congress, which uses such information to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. As a result, Congress has established procedures and mechanisms to protect controlled information in its custody. These arrangements, however, differ between the House and the Senate and among pan… more
Date: January 11, 2006
Creator: Kaiser, Frederick M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis

Description: This report provides context, comparison, and discussion of the issues addressed in the various legislative proposals addressing lobbying and lobbying-related laws and congressional Rules introduced thus far in the 109th Congress.
Date: January 13, 2006
Creator: Petersen, R. Eric
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report discusses key issues in U.S.-Philippine relations and developments in Philippine politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. Global terrorism concerns have brought the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP) closer together, but they also have produced some bilateral tensions and highlighted weaknesses in Philippine economic, political, and military institutions. The RP faces terrorist threats through alleged cooperation among three groups — Jeremiah Islamiah… more
Date: January 10, 2006
Creator: Lum, Thomas & Niksch, Larry A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy

Description: Under the populist rule of President Hugo Chávez, first elected in 1998, Venezuela has undergone enormous political changes, with a new constitution, a new the unicameral legislature, and even a new name for the country, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Although Chávez remained widely popular until mid-2001, his popularity eroded considerably after that, amid concerns that he was imposing a leftist agenda. In April 2002, massive opposition protests led to the ouster of Chávez from power fo… more
Date: January 17, 2006
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses

Description: The Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or end the potential threat posed by Iran, at times pursuing limited engagement directly or through allies, and at other times leaning toward pursuing efforts to change Iran’s regime. Over the past two years, the Administration has focused primarily on blunting Iran’s nuclear program by backing diplomatic efforts by European nations and Russia to negotiate permanent curbs on it. International concerns on nuclear issues an… more
Date: January 20, 2006
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance

Description: Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded in overthrowing Saddam Hussein, but Iraq remains violent and unstable because of Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency, as well as increasing sectarian violence. According to its November 30, 2005, “Strategy for Victory,” the Bush Administration indicates that U.S. forces will remain in Iraq until the country is able to provide for its own security and does not serve as a host for radical Islamic terrorists. This report discusses the background of the … more
Date: January 13, 2006
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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GSE Reform: A New Affordable Housing Fund

Description: In this report, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are referred to by name, as GSEs, and as the right to borrow $2.25 billion each from the U.S. Treasury, exemption from state and local taxes, and exemption from the requirement to register securities offerings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Date: November 28, 2005
Creator: Weiss, Eric
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Bosnia: Overview of Issues Ten Years After Dayton

Description: On November 21-22, 2005, the United States will host a meeting with Bosnia’s collective leadership to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Dayton accords, an agreement brokered under U.S. leadership that ended the 1992-1995 conflict in Bosnia- Herzegovina. Since early 2005, the Bush Administration has given renewed emphasis to “unfinished business” in the western Balkan region, such as the unresolved status of Kosovo, a U.N.-run province of Serbia. The United States also seeks to bolster Bos… more
Date: November 14, 2005
Creator: Kim, Julie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Ecuador: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations

Description: In January 2003, Lucio Gutierrez of the Patriotic Society Party (PSP), a former army Colonel who was part of the junta that toppled the government of Jamil Mahuad in January 2000, became the country’s sixth president in seven years. Early in his presidency, President Gutierrez abandoned his populist rhetoric and adopted some market-friendly economic reforms in order to secure support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His power was severely limited, however, by opposition parties that … more
Date: January 11, 2005
Creator: Ribando, Clare
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides information and analysis on Moldova, including its political and economic situation, foreign policy, and on U.S. policy toward Moldova.
Date: December 17, 2004
Creator: Woehrel, Steven
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections

Description: This report discusses United States and United Nations preparations for Iraq’s planned elections for a transitional National Assembly, scheduled for January 30, 2005. Elections preparations are significantly hindered by continuing insurgency and threats of a boycott by many of Iraq’s Sunni Arabs.
Date: December 16, 2004
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Haiti: International Assistance Strategy for the Interim Government and Congressional Concerns

Description: This report discusses international assistance strategy, known as the Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF), to address Haiti’s short-term needs between the collapse of the government of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide in February 2004 and the initial phase of a new government scheduled to be inaugurated in February 2006.
Date: November 17, 2005
Creator: Taft-Morales, Maureen
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Libya: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides background information on Libya and U.S.-Libyan relations; profiles Libyan leader Muammar al Qadhafi; discusses Libya’s political and economic reform efforts; and reviews current issues of potential congressional interest.
Date: November 4, 2005
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance

Description: Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded in overthrowing Saddam Hussein, but replacing his regime with a stable, moderate, democratic political structure has been complicated by Sunni Arab resentment and a related insurgency. The Bush Administration says that U.S. forces will remain in Iraq until the stated mission is complete: the establishment of a stable democracy that will not host radical Islamist forces and would serve as a model for democratic reform throughout the Middle East. However, a growi… more
Date: October 24, 2005
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Assistance to Afghan and Iraqi Women: Issues for Congress

Description: This report reviews the U.S.-sponsored funding and programs directed toward women and children in Afghanistan and Iraq. The national and international response to the plight of Afghan and Iraqi women, even to their most recent experience under the Taliban in Afghanistan or Baathist regime in Iraq, will impact their future role and the long-term developments in each country, such as the implementation of a new constitution, the incorporation of women in local and national governance, the role of… more
Date: June 18, 2004
Creator: Armanios, Febe & Margesson, Rhoda
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Expedited Citizenship Through Military Service: Policy and Issues

Description: This report discusses the interest in legislation to expand the citizenship benefits of aliens serving in the military. Multiple bills provide for expedited or posthumous citizenship as the result of military service (H.R. 1275, H.R. 1588, H.R. 1685, H.R. 1691, H.R. 1714, H.R. 1799, H.R. 1806, H.R. 1814, H.R. 1850, H.R. 1953, H.R. 1954, H.R. 2887, S. 783, S. 789, S. 897, S. 922, and S. 940). Variously, these bills would, among other things, reduce or eliminate the 3-year requirement for peaceti… more
Date: September 30, 2003
Creator: Lee, Margaret Mikyung
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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