Congressional Research Service Reports - 72 Matching Results

Search Results

Results: 1 - 24 next
open access

Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response

Description: This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria and provides an overview of U.S. policy responses. The rise of the insurgent terrorist group known as the Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL/ISIS) and Russia's military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government have reshaped debates over U.S. policy toward the ongoing civil conflict in Syria, now in its fifth year.
Date: January 6, 2017
Creator: Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M. & Nikitin, Mary Beth D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Israel: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief

Description: This report focuses on recent dynamics in U.S.-Israel relations; U.S.-Israel next steps following the July 2015 Iranian nuclear deal; regional threats Israel perceives from Hezbollah, Syria, and elsewhere; recently-intensified Israeli-Palestinian tensions and violence in connection with Jerusalem's holy sites; and domestic political developments in Israel.
Date: January 6, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Overview of U.S. Sanctions Regimes on Russia

Description: This report discusses sanctions imposed by the Obama administration on Russia for malicious cyber activity.
Date: January 11, 2017
Creator: Welt, Cory & Rennack, Dianne E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Cuba: Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress

Description: This report discusses Cuba's political succession in 2006 from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raúl, human rights, and a number of market-oriented economic policy changes.
Date: January 18, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Venezuela: Issues for Congress, 2013-2016

Description: This report, divided into three main sections, examines the political and economic situation in Venezuela and U.S.-Venezuelan relations. The first two sections describe the environment under various political leaders including President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) and President Nicolás Maduro. The third section examines U.S. relations with Venezuela, including the imposition of sanctions on Venezuelan officials, and selected issues in U.S. relations--democracy and human rights, energy, counternarco… more
Date: January 23, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

United Kingdom's Prime Minister Visits President Trump

Description: This report describes the visit of the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Theresa May, at the White House. She was the first foreign leader to meet with President Donald Trump.
Date: January 26, 2017
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Barriers Along the U.S. Borders: Key Authorities and Requirements

Description: This report discusses key statutory authorities and requirements governing the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) construction of barriers along the U.S. borders. It also includes appendixes listing federal laws that have been waived by DHS in furtherance of border construction projects.
Date: January 27, 2017
Creator: Garcia, Michael J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the current status of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and highlights issues that Congress may address as the United States pursues its compliance concerns with Russia. It includes a historical overview and summary of the provisions of the INF Treaty and Russia's concerns with U.S. compliance with the treaty and concludes with a discussion of options that the United States might pursue to address its concerns with Russia's activities and options that it m… more
Date: January 27, 2017
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Mexican-U.S. Relations: Increased Tensions

Description: This report describes the increased tensions in Mexican-U.S. relations after Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto canceled an upcoming meeting with President Donald J. Trump following exchanges between the two leaders over social media concerning U.S. policies toward Mexico.
Date: February 1, 2017
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare & Villarreal, M. A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran Nuclear Agreement

Description: This report provides background on the agreement negotiated by Iran and six other countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany--collectively known as the P5+1) regarding Iran's nuclear program, and discusses the implications for U.S.-Iran relations.
Date: February 10, 2017
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth & Kerr, Paul K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean

Description: This report discusses the U.S. relations and economic linkages with the Latin American and Caribbean region that have made significant political and economic advances over the past three decades, though challenges remain.
Date: February 16, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The European Union: Current Challenges and Future Prospects

Description: This report provides a brief history of the European Union (EU) and the major challenges currently confronting the EU as an institution. It also discusses the potential implications both for the EU itself and for U.S.-EU relations.
Date: February 27, 2017
Creator: Archick, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iran Policy and the European Union

Description: This report expresses concerns by European Union (EU) officials that the Trump Administration might abandon consensus U.S.- EU policy toward Iran.
Date: February 27, 2017
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Russia: Background and U.S. Interests

Description: This report provides background information on Russian politics, economics, and military issues. It also discusses a number of key issues for Congress concerning Russia's foreign relations and the U.S.-Russian relationship.
Date: March 1, 2017
Creator: Welt, Cory
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

U.S.-Mexican Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments

Description: This report describes U.S.-Mexican water sharing of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers pursuant to binational agreements. The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is charged with addressing issues that arise during application of binational water treaties.
Date: March 2, 2017
Creator: Carter, Nicole T.; Mulligan, Stephen P. & Ribando Seelke, Clare
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

El Salvador: Background and U.S. Relations

Description: This report examines El Salvador's political, security, human rights, and economic conditions. It then analyzes selected issues in U.S.-Salvadoran relations.
Date: March 8, 2017
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Visits President Trump

Description: This report discusses the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel with President Donald Trump at the White House on March 17, 2017.
Date: March 13, 2017
Creator: Belkin, Paul
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report describes the current status of the INF Treaty and highlights issues that Congress may address as the United States pursues its compliance concerns with Russia. It includes a historical overview and summary of the provisions of the INF Treaty and Russia's concerns about U.S. compliance with the treaty; it concludes with a discussion of options that the United States might pursue to address its concerns regarding Russia's activities and options that it might pursue if Russia deploys … more
Date: March 15, 2017
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Description: This report provides an overview of North American trade liberalization before NAFTA, an overview of NAFTA provisions, the economic effects of NAFTA, and policy considerations.
Date: March 22, 2017
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles & Fergusson, Ian F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

China's February 2017 Suspension of North Korean Coal Imports

Description: This report discusses China's suspension of coal trade with North Korea for the remainder of 2017 which keeps China in compliance with an UN agreement to limit coal buying from North Korea that was implemented in November 2016 in response to continued nuclear tests by North Korea. Coal's value as an export to North Korea, China's trade with North Korea, quantities of coal and its value that was imported into China in 2016 and 2017, and possible reasons and implications for China's decision are … more
Date: April 25, 2017
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V.; Manyin, Mark E. & Hammond, Keigh E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

North American Free Trade Agreement: Notification for Renegotiation

Description: This report discusses the fate of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) after the Trump Administration sent a 90-day notification to Congress of its intent to begin talks with Canada and Mexico to renegotiate NAFTA.
Date: May 19, 2017
Creator: Villarreal, M. A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

A Shift in the International Security Environment: Potential Implications for Defense--Issues for Congress

Description: This report briefly describes the shift in the international security environment that some observers believe has occurred, and identifies some defense-related issues for Congress that could arise from it. Congress's decisions on these issues could have significant implications for U.S. defense capabilities and funding requirements.
Date: May 19, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Description: This report provides an overview of North American trade liberalization before NAFTA, an overview of NAFTA provisions, the economic effects of NAFTA, and policy considerations.
Date: May 24, 2017
Creator: Villarreal, M. Angeles & Fergusson, Ian F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen