Congressional Research Service Reports - 81 Matching Results
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- Iran: Current Developments and U.S. Policy
- Report discussing the most recent political developments in Iran, including who the country offers support to and opposes. The report also makes note of U.S. policy regarding these developments, as well as the measures put in place to ensure continued peaceful relations between the two countries.
- Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security
- This report discusses the current political and social climate of Iraq, specifically in regards to the influence of the U.S. military presence over recent years. This report addresses planned and possible future efforts under the Obama Administration, including the scheduled gradual troops withdrawal.
- Kosovo and U.S. Policy
- No Description Available.
- The Former Soviet Union and U.S. Foreign Assistance
- This report outlines the approximately $8.3 billion in grants for economic and technical assistance to the States of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) by the United States in an effort to encourage a transition to democracy and free market economics. The report also covers the various departments and agencies providing grant assistance.
- Iraq: A Compilation of Legislation Enacted and Resolutions Adopted by Congress, 1990-2003
- No Description Available.
- Foreign Aid Reform: Agency Coordination
- This report discusses the many agencies involved with U.S. foreign assistance, the mechanisms currently in place to coordinate foreign aid programs, particularly those related to development assistance, and agency coordination issues that Congress may consider as part of foreign assistance reform.
- Continuity of Government: Current Federal Arrangements and the Future
- Continuity of government refers to the continued functioning of constitutional government under all circumstances. Arrangements for the continued operation of the federal government in the event of a national emergency or catastrophe are specified in law, policy, and plans, some of which are not public information, given their sensitive, contingent status. This report reviews the public record concerning federal continuity of government arrangements.
- Continuity of Government: Current Federal Arrangements and the Future
- Continuity of government refers to the continued functioning of constitutional government under all circumstances. Arrangements for the continued operation of the federal government in the event of a national emergency or catastrophe are specified in law, policy, and plans, some of which are not public information, given their sensitive, contingent status. This report reviews the public record concerning federal continuity of government arrangements.
- China/Taiwan: Evolution of the "One China" Policy - Key Statements from Washington, Beijing, and Taipei
- In Part I, this CRS report discusses the policy on “one China” since the United States began in 1971 to reach understandings with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government in Beijing. Part II documents the evolution of the “one China” principle as articulated in key statements by Washington, Beijing, and Taipei. The U.S. policy on “one China” has evolved to cover three issues: sovereignty, peaceful resolution, and cross-strait dialogue.
- Trafficking in Persons: The U.S. and International Response
- Trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. In December 2005, Congress adopted the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005. The State Department, on June 5, 2006, issued a mandate that categorized countries into four groups according to the efforts they were making to combat trafficking. Those countries (Tier Three) that do not cooperate in the fight against trafficking have been made subject to U.S. sanctions since 2003. In the second session of the 109th Congress, both chambers are expected to continue to address the human trafficking issue as part of their authorization, appropriations, and oversight activities.
- United Nations Peacekeeping: Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Trafficking in Persons: The U.S. and International Response
- No Description Available.
- The Global Financial Crisis: Foreign and Trade Policy Effects
- This report provides an overview of the major non-financial effects of the global crisis of 2008.
- Serbia and Montenegro: Current Situation and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the state of politics in Serbia and Montenegro following the downfall of Serbian leader, Slobodan Milosevec in October 2000. In particular, the report focuses on aid from the United States to support political reforms and the various conditions set regarding the war crimes tribunal.
- NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance
- This report discusses the mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan, the purpose of which is to stabilize and reconstruct Afghanistan by combating emerging threats such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This report also discusses how the Obama Administration has made the Afghanistan conflict a policy priority, and what this stance could mean for potential future endeavors.
- Taiwan-U.S. Relations: Recent Developments and Their Policy Implications
- This report focuses on current developments in Taiwan, analyzing how those developments are affecting choices the United States makes about its policy toward Taiwan specifically and toward the People's Republic of China (PRC) more broadly.
- The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement
- This report discusses the evolving economic and strategic architectures of Asia. One part of this evolving architecture is the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), a free trade agreement that includes nations on both sides of the Pacific.
- Laos: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides and overview of the political and economical situation in Laos, and discusses the U.S. assistance programs and human rights and humanitarian issues.
- The Shib'a Farms Dispute and Its Implications
- This report discusses the Shib’a Farms area, which remains a source of tension and potential risk. This is a roughly 10 square mile enclave at the southern edge of the Lebanese-Syrian border.
- Kosovo and U.S. Policy
- In 1998 and 1999, the United States and its NATO allies attempted to put an end to escalating violence between ethnic Albanian guerrilas and Yugoslav/Serb forces in Yugoslavia's Kosovo province. These efforts culminated in a 78-day NATO bombing campaign (Operation Allied Force) against Serbia from March until June 1999, when then-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic agreed to withdraw his forces from the province. Almost all ethnic Albanians want independence for Kosovo; Serbs say it should remain within Serbia. In mid-2005, the U.N. launched a comprehensive review of the Kosovo standards. On the basis of the review, the U.N. Security Council endorsed the start of status negotiations for Kosovo. In 2005, U.S. officials announced a "new stage" in Kosovo policy that aimed to accelerate resolution of the conflict and enhance the Balkan region's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.
- Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances
- Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro for much of the past 40 years. Under the Bush Administration, enforcement of U.S. restrictions on Cuba travel has increased, and restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba have been tightened. Several legislative initiatives have been introduced in the 109th Congress that would ease restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. These bills would, among other things, lift overall restrictions on travel to Cuba, lift the overall embargo, and ease restrictions on exporting agricultural commodities to Cuba.
- Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
- No Description Available.
- Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- The United States and its allies are helping Afghanistan emerging from more than 22 years of warfare, although substantial risk to Afghan stability remains. Before the U.S. military campaign against the orthodox Islamist Taliban movement began on October 7, 2001, Afghanistan had been mired in conflict since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The defeat of the Taliban has enabled the United States and its coalition partners to send forces throughout Afghanistan to search for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters and leaders that remain at large, including Osama bin Laden. As the war against remaining Al Qaeda and Taliban elements winds down, the United States is shifting its military focus toward stabilizing the interim government, including training a new Afghan national army, and supporting the international security force (ISAF) that is helping the new government provide security.
- Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress
- This report, which will be updated regularly, examines issues in U.S.-Cuban relations and tracks legislative initiatives on Cuba in the 109th Congress. The 109th Congress will likely continue an active interest in Cuba concerning human rights, debate over economic sanctions (especially on travel), food and agricultural exports to Cuba, terrorism issues, Radio and TV Marti, bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and migration issues.
- Taiwan: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy Choices
- No Description Available.
- Taiwan: Recent Developments and U.S. Policy Choices
- No Description Available.
- Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
- No Description Available.
- India: Chronology of Recent Events
- This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving India and India-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, major newswires, the U.S. Department of State, Hindu (Madras), Hindustan Times (Delhi), and Indian Express (Bombay).
- Pakistan: Chronology of Recent Events
- No Description Available.
- Israeli-United States Relations
- Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable emphasis on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored aid closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration’s policies.
- India-U.S. Relations
- This report summarizes India-US relations from 1947 in preparation for the 2004 National elections, including information about bilateral relations, nuclear testing, separatist movements, and human rights issues.
- Colombia: Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of recent political developments in Colombia, including the administration of President Uribe (2002-2010), continuing into the election of President Juan Manuel Santos. It discusses the political issues including Colombia's longstanding conflict with internal armed groups and ongoing challenges such as human rights, demobilization and displacement, drug trends, and Colombia's regional relations.
- Japan-U.S. Relations
- The post-World War II U.S.-Japan alliance has long been an anchor of the U.S. security role in East Asia. The alliance facilitates, for the U.S., the forward deployment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, and provides, for Japan, maneuvering room in dealing with its neighbors, particularly China and North Korea. This report outlines and explains in detail several aspects of the developing U.S.-Japan relationship. Most of said developing relationship has been viewed warily by South Korea and China. Japan is one of the United States' most important economic partners. It is the United States' largest export market outside of North America and second-largest source of imports. This report also describes in detail the economic relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
- Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 107th Congress
- No Description Available.
- Korea: U.S.-Korean Relations - Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Korea: U.S.-Korean Relations--Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
- The United States and Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 1991; it entered into force in December 1994 and expired in December 2009. This report provides background information about the START Treaty and reviews the discussions about a possible successor to START. It also presents a range of alternatives that the United States and Russia might consider if they choose to follow START with a new framework for the arms control process.
- Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
- The United States and Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 1991; it entered into force in December 1994 and expired in December 2009. This report provides background information about the START Treaty and reviews the discussions about a possible successor to START. It also presents a range of alternatives that the United States and Russia might consider if they choose to follow START with a new framework for the arms control process.
- U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the United States counterterrorism cooperation with China after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This effort raised short-term policy issues about how to elicit cooperation and how to address China's concerns about military action (Operation Enduring Freedom). Longer-term questions have concerned whether counterterrorism has strategically transformed bilateral relations and whether China's support has been valuable and not obtained at the expense of other U.S. interests.
- U.S.-Japan Economic Ties: Status and Outlook
- No Description Available.
- U.S.-Japan Economic Ties: Status and Outlook
- No Description Available.
- South Africa: Current Issues and U.S. Relations
- This report looks at the relationship between the United States and South Africa. Topics include: foreign policy issues; health (in particular HIV/AIDS) reform; economics and electricity shortages; and corruption in South African politics.
- Iran: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy
- This report provides a description of Iran's neighbors' policies and interests, options for Congressional consideration, and an analysis of potential regional implications
- Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis
- This report looks at political instability that has plagued the Madagascar since 2009. The report address other concerns that Congress has about the country as well, specifically threats to Madagascar's unique ecosystem.
- Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests
- This report surveys key aspects of Indonesia's domestic politics and strategic dynamics in addition to provide general background information on Indonesia. It also provides an overview of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Indonesia.
- Israel: Background and Relations with the United States
- This report provides a historical overview of Israel and it discusses most recent development, politics, economy and relations with United States.
- Central Asia's New States: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests
- After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics and established diplomatic relations with each by mid-March 1992. This report provides an overview of U.S. policy concerns after the Soviet collapse. The report presents the U.S. policy attention and aid to support conflict amelioration, humanitarian needs, economic development, transport (including energy pipelines) and communications, border controls, democracy, and the creation of civil societies in the South Caucasian and Central Asian states. The United States has some economic and business interests in Central Asia, particularly in oil and natural gas development in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
- Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report considers the debate on the efficacy of U.S. efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. Moreover, the report discusses how the Bush Administration's review of the progress resulted as inadequate, and thus ways of changing progress are being considered. The report also discusses the NATO led troops in the region.
- Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations
- With limited natural resources, a crippling illiteracy rate, and high population growth, Yemen faces an array of daunting development challenges that some observers believe make it at risk for becoming a failed state in the next few decades. As the country's population rapidly rises, resources dwindle, and terrorist groups take root in the outlying provinces, the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress are left to grapple with the consequences of Yemeni instability. As President Obama and the 111th Congress reassess U.S. policy toward the Arab world, the opportunity for improved U.S.-Yemeni ties is strong, though recurring tensions over counterterrorism cooperation and lack of U.S. interest in Yemen within the broader foreign policy community persist.
- China's Economic Conditions
- This report provides background on China's economic rise and current economic structure and the challenges China faces to keep its economy growing strong, and describes Chinese economic policies that are of concern to U.S. policymakers.