Search Results

open access

Lebanon

Description: This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It provides background information, analyzes recent developments and key policy debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action. The report includes information regarding Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation and subsequent reinstatement in November 2017.
Date: December 7, 2017
Creator: Humud, Carla E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Columbia: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report analyzes the political and economic conditions in Colombia and examines major issues in U.S.-Colombian relations. Topics covered include recent Presidential administrations, economic conditions, the FARC Peace Accord, human rights concerns, the narcotics trade, and the U.S.-Colombia bilateral strategies known as Plan Colombia and Peace Colombia.
Date: November 14, 2017
Creator: Beittel, June S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Jerusalem: U.S. Recognition as Israel's Capitol and Planned Embassy Move

Description: This report discuses President's Trump's announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel and stating that the U.S. embassy would be moved there from Tel Aviv "as soon as practicable". It includes an overview of policy questions and concerns, international reactions, and Congressional reactions.
Date: December 8, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive

Description: 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.
Date: January 2, 2018
Creator: Morelli, Vincent L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention

Description: 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.
Date: December 7, 2017
Creator: Sharp, Jeremy M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Venezuela's Economic Crisis: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the economic crisis in Venezuela including its origins of the crisis and current attempts at debt restructuring by the Venezuelan government. The report also outlines U.S. interests in the Venezuelan economy and trade, the outlook for U.S. holders of Venezuelan oil company bonds, ownership of CITGO (the biggest shareholder is the Venezuelan state-oil company), and the prospects of U.S. support of economic recovery in the future.
Date: January 10, 2018
Creator: Nelson, Rebecca M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Kosovo: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report provides a brief overview of Kosovo and its political structure, economy, migration issues, regional relationships, counterterrorism efforts, and relations with the U.S.
Date: November 29, 2017
Creator: Morelli, Vincent L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Possible U.S. Policy Approaches to North Korea

Description: 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.
Date: September 4, 2017
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma & Manyin, Mark E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Transatlantic Relations in 2018

Description: 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.
Date: January 10, 2018
Creator: Morelli, Vincent L. & Archick, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances

Description: This report examines developments in U.S. policy restricting travel and remittances to Cuba, current permissible travel and remittances, enforcement of the travel restrictions, and debate on lifting the travel restrictions. Appendix A provides a chronology of major actions taken on travel restrictions; Appendix B provides a history of related legislative.
Date: December 4, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Contested Elections in Honduras

Description: This report discuses the November 26, 2017 Honduran presidential elections including allegations of irregularity in the voting count and uncertainty over who the election winner is with only 89% of the vote counted as a of November 30th. It provides an overview of implications of the results of the election for the United States and their relations with Honduras.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The North Korean Nuclear Challenge: Military Options and Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the North Korean nuclear threat and possible military options the U.S. could use to reduce or eliminate the threat. The report begins with a brief overview of the situation, nuclear capabilities of North Korea, and effects military action would have on the region and its stability. Seven military related options are discussed along with possible issues of interest to Congress.
Date: October 27, 2017
Creator: McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew; Manyin, Mark E.; Hildreth, Steven A.; Nikitin, Mary Beth D. & Chanlett-Avery, Emma
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Why is Violence Rebounding in Mexico?

Description: This report discusses violence in Mexico fueled by organized crime cartels and the rising homicide rate which for 2017 based on preliminary reports will be above 18 per 100,000 persons. The rate in 2016 was 16.2 per 100,000. Various possible causes of the increase in violence discussed are the fragmentation of the Sinaloa Cartel, the increase in heroin trafficking and sales in the U.S., and the removal of major cartel bosses by the Mexican military leading to a power struggle in the organizatio… more
Date: November 8, 2017
Creator: Beittel, June S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Rohingya Crises in Bangladesh and Burma

Description: 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.
Date: November 8, 2017
Creator: Martin, Michael F.; Margesson, Rhoda & Vaughn, Bruce
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Temporary Protected Status: Overview and Current Issues

Description: This report discusses Temporary Protected Status (TPS) which is offered to nationals of designated countries who due to civil unrest, natural disasters, and armed conflicts cannot safely return home. This report begins by situating TPS in the context of humanitarian responses to migration. Another form of blanket relief from removal--Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)--is also described, as is the historical use of these relief mechanisms. The report then provides data on the countries currently… more
Date: November 2, 2017
Creator: Wilson, Jill H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Qatar and Its Neighbors: Disputes and Possible Implications

Description: 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.
Date: June 26, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Blanchard, Christopher M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress

Description: 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.
Date: November 22, 2017
Creator: Cook, Nicolas & Terrell, Katherine Z.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Ukraine: Background and U.S. Policy

Description: 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.
Date: November 1, 2017
Creator: Welt, Cory
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Australia

Description: This report discusses Australia's strategic alliance with the United States and their economic ties with China and ways these two interests may conflict. Relations between the U.S. and Australia and recent tensions between U.S. President Trump and Australian President Turnbull are also discussed.
Date: May 12, 2017
Creator: Vaughn, Bruce
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Taiwan: Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes Taiwan's governmental structure, politics, economy, relations with its neighbors, and ongoing sovereignty disputes with China which have intensified recently. U.S. relations with Taiwan and legislation related to Taiwan in the 115th Congress is also discussed.
Date: October 30, 2017
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V. & Morrison, Wayne M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies

Description: This report discusses Iran's foreign and defense policies and their motivations. Policies in each area of the world and their nuclear programs are discussed.
Date: November 7, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the United Arab Emirates's (UAE) politics and governmental structure, economy, regional foreign policies including their part in the June 2017 isolation of Qatar due to their support for the Muslim Brotherhood, human rights concerns related to the UAE, and U.S. relations with the UAE.
Date: November 2, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief

Description: This report discuses Turkey's relations with the U.S. and growing tensions between the U.S .and Turkey over President Erdogan's domestic power consolidations following a coup attempt in July 2016, regional partnerships with Russia, relations with the Kurds, and a series of diplomatic and human rights incidents.
Date: November 9, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim & Thomas, Clayton
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen