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The Crisis in South Sudan

Description: This report provides an overview of the recent humanitarian situation in South Sudan. The United States is the largest provider of bilateral foreign assistance to South Sudan and a major financial contributor to international peacekeeping efforts there.
Date: December 27, 2013
Creator: Ploch Blanchard, Lauren
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Description: This report describes the relationship between the United States and the Sultanate of Oman, especially with respect to Oman's support of U.S. efforts toward peace in the Middle East, the U.S. free trade agreement with Oman, and Oman's relatively close relations with Iran, the last of which seems incongruous with the other positive aspects of Oman's relationship with the U.S.
Date: December 27, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts

Description: This report briefly discusses the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division I, "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012," of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-74).
Date: December 24, 2013
Creator: Tarnoff, Curt & Tiersky, Alex
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Thailand: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report looks at the relationship between the U.S. and Thailand, in particular, recent rivalries between populist political forces, nepotism in government, and Thai relationships with neighboring countries.
Date: December 20, 2013
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma & Dolven, Ben
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: Several Turkish domestic and foreign policy issues have significant relevance for U.S. interests. This report provides background information on Turkey and discusses possible policy options for Members of Congress and the Obama Administration.
Date: December 20, 2013
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China's Economic Rise: History, Trends, Challenges, and Implications for the United States

Description: This report provides background on China's economic rise; describes its current economic structure; identifies the challenges China faces to maintain economic growth; and discusses the challenges, opportunities, and implications of China's economic rise for the United States.
Date: December 17, 2013
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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War in Afghanistan: Campaign Progress, Political Strategy, and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the current strategic context, the state of the campaign, next steps in the campaign, and what it would take to make campaign gains sustainable; and it offers questions that may be of help to Congress in providing oversight of further U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.
Date: December 17, 2013
Creator: Dale, Catherine
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Interim Agreement on Iran's Nuclear Program

Description: This report discusses the recent development regarding the negotiations with Iran about its nuclear program. The report provides background information on Iranian nuclear program and debates the November 24 Joint Plan of Action Elements.
Date: December 11, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Kerr, Paul K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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South Africa: Politics, Economy, and U.S. Relations

Description: This report discusses the politics and governance of South Africa. South Africa has the largest, most diversified, and highly industrialized economy in Africa. To address diverse challenges, the government is investing billions of dollars to upgrade infrastructure and improve public service delivery, but is likely to face continuing challenges in meeting popular expectations.
Date: December 6, 2013
Creator: Cook, Nicolas
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions

Description: This report provides an overview of the New Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty (START), including a comparison to the original START Treaty, the belief of the Obama Administration and outside analysts that New START will enhance U.S. national security, and the criticisms of those who say that New START is a distraction from more important items on the nonproliferation agenda.
Date: December 5, 2013
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Iran Sanctions

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. The report also discusses ways which the U.S. hopes to modify Iran's behavior with sanctions, and the effectiveness of these sanctions.
Date: December 4, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments

Description: This report discusses the strategic significance of Guam for defense buildup and the force relocation and deployments from the U.S. mainland. It also discusses the concerns and issues for Congress, such as allies and partner, China, and legislation.
Date: November 27, 2013
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance

Description: This report discusses the current political state of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan government. This report also discusses Afghanistan's relationship with the United States, particularly U.S. efforts to urge President Hamid Karzai, to address corruption within the Afghan government. The report also includes discussion of election fraud and corruption in Afghanistan.
Date: November 22, 2013
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses policy issues regarding military-to-military (mil-to-mil) contacts with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and provides a record of major contacts and crises since 1993. The first part of this CRS Report discusses policy issues regarding such military-to-military (mil-to-mil) contacts. The second part provides a record of such contacts since 1993, when the United States resumed exchanges after suspending them in response to the Tiananmen Crackdown in 1989. Congress has e… more
Date: November 20, 2013
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments

Description: This report is a primer on U.S. and Mexican water-sharing topics. It focuses on surface water quantity sharing and recent developments, including drought conditions. Due to Mexico's recent below-target deliveries of Rio Grande water to the United States, particular attention is given to the status, underlying causes, and responses to the Rio Grande water debt. This report describes: legal obligations and processes under the 1944 Water Treaty; drought conditions from 2010 to 2013; water sharing … more
Date: November 19, 2013
Creator: Carter, Nicole T.; Seelke, Clare Ribando & Shedd, Daniel T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Algeria: Current Issues

Description: The focus of this report is Algeria, a country in North Africa that is increasingly important for U.S. efforts to counter international terrorism as a key partner in the fight against Al Qaeda linked groups. As an energy producer, it also is a significant source of natural gas for the United States and not a major recipient of U.S. aid. This report discusses Algeria's current political conditions and Algeria-related U.S. policy.
Date: November 18, 2013
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues

Description: This report is a succinct overview of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship including an analysis of issues. For decades, Taiwan has been of significant security, economic, and political interest to the United States. While the United States does not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, it is a significant autonomous actor in the world.
Date: November 18, 2013
Creator: Kan, Shirley A. & Morrison, Wayne M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Guam: U.S. Defense Deployments

Description: This report discusses the strategic significance of Guam for defense buildup and the force relocation and deployments from the U.S. mainland. It also discusses the concerns and issues for Congress, such as allies and partner, China, and legislation.
Date: November 15, 2013
Creator: Kan, Shirley A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nigeria: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

Description: This report covers the recent 2011 Nigerian elections, development challenges, reform initiatives, social issues, security concerns, and international relations in Nigeria. It ends with some concerns for Congress, including U.S.-Nigerian trade issues, Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts, and U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
Date: November 15, 2013
Creator: Ploch, Lauren
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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China's Political Institutions and Leaders in Charts

Description: This report provides a snapshot of China's leading political institutions and current leaders in the form of nine organization charts and three tables. This chart-based report is intended to assist Members and their staffs seeking to understand where political institutions and individuals fit within the broader Chinese political system and to identify which Chinese officials are responsible for specific portfolios.
Date: November 12, 2013
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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