Congressional Research Service Reports - 76 Matching Results
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- Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress
- This report provides policy and historical background about Puerto Rico's political status--a term of art referring to the relationship between the federal government and a territorial one. It emphasizes recent developments that are likely to be most relevant for Congress. Congress has not altered the island's status since 1952, when it approved a territorial constitution.
- Lobbying Registration and Disclosure: The Role of the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate
- This report explains the role of the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in implementing lobbying registration and disclosure requirements and summarizes the guidance documents they have jointly issued.
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Bahrain's political structure and economy, the 2011 uprising and its aftereffects, human rights issues, security cooperation with the U.S., and foreign policy towards other countries in the region.
- Turkey: Erdogan's Referendum Victory Delivers "Presidential System"
- This report discuses the Turkish referendum results regarding creating a presidential system through the abolishment of the position of prime minister and a strengthening of the power of the presidency. Possible irregularities, reactions of other countries to the results, and possible effects of the changes on Turkish government and President Erdogan's power are also discussed.
- Election in Germany
- This report gives a brief overview of the 2017 chancellorship election campaign in Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel is running for her 4th term in office. The major political parties and issues in the campaign are discussed as well as possible effects on U.S. relations with Germany.
- Contested Elections in Honduras
- 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.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections
- This report provides the results of recent elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. It includes three tables, organized by region, containing the date of each country's independence, the name of the newly elected president or prime minister, and the projected date of the next election.
- Zimbabwe's Political Transition: Issues for Congress
- 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.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report gives a overview of Iran's defense policies and programs and foreign policy. Regions covered are the Near East, South and Central Asia,Russia, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Iran's nuclear programs and security issues are also discussed.
- Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Afghanistan's government and political structure, ongoing security and defense issues, U.S. assistance to the Afghan military, U.S. humanitarian and economic aid, human rights issues, regional relations, and economic development.
- Serbia: Background and U.S. Relations
- This report provides a brief overview of Serbia's political and economic systems and conditions, their relations with Kosovo, the EU, Russia, and the U.S. and efforts to increase border security in response to the refugee and migrant crisis of 2015 and to combat terrorism.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- This report gives a overview of Iran's defense policies and programs and foreign policy. Regions covered are the Near East, South and Central Asia,Russia, Europe, East Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the United States. Iran's nuclear programs and security issues are also discussed.
- Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
- 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.
- Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report describes Kuwait's political and governmental structure, economy, relations with the U.S. especially in the area of defense, regional policies, and human rights issues.
- Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive
- This report provides a brief overview of the history of the negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, a review of the negotiations since 2008, and a description of some of the issues involved in the talks.
- A Change in Direction for Seoul? The Impeachment of South Korea's President
- This report discusses the Constitutional Court decision for impeachment of the former President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye. The decision was the latest development in a corruption scandal that has engulfed South Korean politics and the business world since October 2016, and comes against the backdrop of North Korean missile tests.
- Colombia's Changing Approach to Drug Policy
- This report describes how Colombia's drug policies have evolved in light of Colombia's peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and its changing counter-narcotics policy. The final peace agreement addresses important issues, such as illicit crop cultivation--a major source of FARC income--and rural development.
- Cyprus: Reunification Proving Elusive
- This report provides a brief overview of the history of the negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, a review of the negotiations since 2008, and a description of some of the issues involved in the talks.
- Northern Ireland's Snap Assembly Elections: Outcome and Implications
- This report discusses the snap elections for Northern Ireland's Assembly, its regional legislature.
- Democracy Promotion: An Objective of U.S. Foreign Assistance
- This report aims to provide information on the history of democracy promotion as a foreign assistance objective, the role of the primary U.S. agencies administering such programs, and funding details and trends, as well as issues of potential relevance to Congress.
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report provides an overview of Qatar's governmental structure and leaders, economy, human rights concerns, relations with other Middle Eastern countries, defense cooperation with the U.S., and the recent severing of relations with Qatar by Saudi Arabia and several of its allies such as Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt over its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and alleged state sponsorship of terrorism. The crisis and attempt at mediation by the U.S. and Kuwait are discussed.
- Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations in Brief
- This report provides information and analysis on Turkish interventions in Syria and relationship with Kurdish groups and how the United States's alliance with the Kurds in Iraq has strained relations between the two countries. Domestic issues in Turkey related to the recent constitutional referendum, President Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism, and their relations with Russia are also addressed.
- House Rules Manual: Summary of Contents
- This report provides a brief summary of the contents of the "House Rules and Manual" that governs the procedures of the House of Representatives.
- The Pacific Islands: Policy Issues
- This report presents Congress with a diverse array of policy issues regarding Pacific Islands region, also known as the South Pacific or Southwest Pacific.
- Venezuela: Background and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. responses to it. It provides an overview of the political, economic, and social challenges Venezuela faces and analyzes U.S. policy concerns and actions regarding democracy and human rights, drug trafficking and money laundering, terrorism, and energy issues in Venezuela. The section on democracy and human rights includes U.S. support for OAS efforts regarding Venezuela. Proposals in the 115th Congress regarding Venezuela are also discussed.
- Zimbabwe: A Military-Compelled Transition?
- This report discusses the military intervention in Zimbabwe which occurred on November 14 and 15th, 2017, and provides a discussion of the main events leading up to the action and possible outcomes.
- Lebanon
- This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It offers background information, analyzes recent developments and key legislative debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action.
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report provides a brief history of the state of Qatar, discussing its governance and human rights. The report also includes U.S.-Qatari defense and security cooperation and economic issues.
- Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress
- This report discusses the recent developments in the Cuba's political and economic environment. It also discusses the U.S. - Cuba relations and U.S. policy toward Cuba.
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Bahrain's governmental structure and political climate, the 2011 uprising against the royal family and continued dissent, its alliance with Saudi Arabia, U.S. military forces in Bahrain, and human rights concerns.
- Iran: Politics, Human Rights, and U.S. Policy
- This report outlines Iran's political structure and current leaders, human rights issues, and past and current U.S. relations with Iran.
- Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- This report provides an overview of the situation in Ukraine. Following the February 2014 collapse of the Kremlin-supported government of President Viktor Yanukovych, there was an emergence of a pro-Western, pro-reform government and an energized public generally anxious to lessen Moscow's influence, committed to addressing the need for serious reform and determined to draw closer to Europe and the United States.
- Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current state of reform and foreign policy in Bahrain. Outward signs of the uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa ruling family that began on February 14, 2011 have diminished, but continued smaller demonstrations, opposition boycotts of elections, and incarceration of dissident leaders counter government assertions that Bahrain has "returned to normal."
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report provides a brief history of the state of Qatar, discussing its governance and human rights. The report also includes U.S.-Qatari defense and security cooperation and economic issues.
- Tanzania: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses the current political climate in Tanzania, an important U.S. ally in Africa. It also provides some general background information.
- Lebanon
- This report provides an overview of Lebanon and current issues of U.S. interest. It outlines background information, analyzes recent developments and key policy debates, and tracks legislation, U.S. assistance, and recent congressional action.
- Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report provides a brief history of the state of Qatar, discussing its governance and human rights. The report also includes U.S.-Qatari defense and security cooperation and economic issues.
- U.S. Restrictions on Relations with Burma
- This report discusses the major changes in Burma's political situation since 2008 that have raised issues for Congress concerning the appropriateness of U.S. restrictions on relations with Burma (Myanmar). These issues include whether Congress should reexamine U.S. policy toward Burma in general, what criteria are appropriate for analyzing the current situation in Burma, and whether it should make adjustments to current U.S. restrictions on relations with Burma.
- What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement?
- This report discusses the first insurance covered agreement between the United States and European Union (EU) that concluded on January 13, 2017.
- Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report examines the current political state of Afghanistan at length, discussing the political background, security policy, and regional relations.
- Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress
- This report discusses the relations between U.S. and Cuba after President Raúl Castro succeeded his long-ruling brother Fidel Castro in 2006.
- Russia: Background and U.S. Interests
- 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.
- Venezuela: Issues for Congress, 2013-2016
- 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, counternarcotics, and terrorism concerns.
- Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy
- This report discusses Libya's political situation of local politicians and armed militias controlling power and attempts to establish a stable central government since the 2011 uprising that overthrew Muammar al Qadhafi. U.S. relations and economic and security assistance to efforts to form a representative central government in Libya and combat Islamic extremism are also discussed.
- Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress
- 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 new INF-range missiles.
- Russia and the U.S. Presidential Election
- This report discusses a declassified report on Russian activities and intentions related to the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
- The Islamic State and U.S. Policy
- This report provides background on the Islamic State organization, discusses its goals, operations, and affiliates, reviews U.S. legislative and policy debates, and describes select FY2017 legislative proposals.
- Venezuela: Background and U.S, Policy
- This report describes the government and political structure, economy, and the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela as well as U.S. policy towards Venezuela and recent humanitarian assistance offers made by Congress.
- Haiti's Political and Economic Conditions: In Brief
- This report describes Haiti's political structure and government, economy, police and army, and human rights and immigration issues. It also discusses UN missions in Haiti and U.S. relations with Haiti, including a a table outlining foreign aid amounts for Haiti from the U.S. for FY 2010-FY2018.
- Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy
- This report describes Oman's political structure and government, economy, defense policies, regional relations, U.S. relations, and human rights concerns.