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

Description: This report discusses the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the U.S. and Russia which bans all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This report outlines the original treaty provisions and then discusses compliance concerns for both Russia and the U.S., as well as possible responses to the situation by the U.S.
Date: December 6, 2017
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
open access

Economic Crisis in Russia

Description: This report briefly examines the economic climate in Russia, providing background information and examining key trends. The report also briefly discusses possible next steps for the Kremlin and potential spillover effects for the United States.
Date: December 17, 2014
Creator: Nelson, Rebecca M.
open access

The New START Treaty: Central Limits and Key Provisions

Description: The United States and Russia signed a new strategic arms reduction treaty - known as New START - on April 8, 2010. This treaty is designed to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty (START), which expired, after 15 years of implementation, on December 5, 2009. This report provides an overview of New 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 criticis… more
Date: December 23, 2011
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
open access

United Nations Reform: U.S. Policy and International Perspectives

Description: This report focuses on U.N. reform efforts and priorities from the perspective of several key actors, including the U.S. government, the U.N. Secretary-General, selected member states, and a cross-section of groups tasked with addressing U.N. reform. It also examines congressional actions related to U.N. reform, as well as future policy considerations.
Date: December 21, 2011
Creator: Blanchfield, Luisa
open access

Russia's December 2011 Legislative Election: Outcome and Implications

Description: This report discusses the December 2011 elections in Russia, including background information, the campaign, results and assessments of the election, implications for Russia and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and implications for U.S. interests. Congress may consider the implications of another Putin presidency, lagging democratization, and human rights abuses in Russia as it debates possible future foreign assistance and trade legislation and other aspects of U.S.-Russia relations.
Date: December 13, 2011
Creator: Nichol, Jim
open access

Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties

Description: This report discusses the issues surrounding whether or not the U.S. should grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) following its accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The change in Russia's trade status will require legislation to lift the restrictions of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 as they apply to Russia, which includes the "freedom-of-emigration" requirements of the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
Date: December 22, 2010
Creator: Cooper, William H.
open access

Stability in Russia's Chechnya and Other Regions of the North Caucasus: Recent Developments

Description: This report provides background information on terrorist attacks in Russia's North Caucasus that includes the formerly breakaway Chechnya and other ethnic-based regions--appeared to increase substantially in 2007-2009. The report discusses impact of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict and the recent development in the Northern Caucasus.
Date: December 13, 2010
Creator: Nichol, Jim
open access

Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties

Description: This report discusses the issues surrounding whether or not the U.S. should grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) following its accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The change in Russia's trade status will require legislation to lift the restrictions of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 as they apply to Russia, which includes the "freedom-of-emigration" requirements of the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
Date: December 2, 2010
Creator: Cooper, William H.
open access

Stability in Russia's Chechnya and Other Regions of the North Caucasus: Recent Developments

Description: This report provides background information on terrorist attacks in Russia's North Caucasus that includes the formerly breakaway Chechnya and other ethnic-based regions--appeared to increase substantially in 2007-2009. The report discusses impact of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict and the recent development in the Northern Caucasus.
Date: December 16, 2009
Creator: Nichol, Jim
open access

Nuclear Arms Control: The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty

Description: This report provides a brief overview of U.S. and Russian objectives when they began discussions on the 1994 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and a summary of how they resolved these differences when concluding the negotiations. It then describes the key provisions in the Treaty and presents illustrative forces that each side might deploy in the next 10 years. It offers a brief assessment of how each nation fared in achieving its objectives when negotiating this agreement and a summary o… more
Date: December 30, 2008
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
open access

Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options

Description: This report provides background information about the Strategic Arms Reduction 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.
Date: December 23, 2008
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
open access

Kosovo’s Future Status and U.S. Policy

Description: This report discusses the issue of Kosovo's future status; that is, whether it should become an independent country or continue to be part of Serbia, but with a large degree of autonomy. The future status of Kosovo is the most sensitive and potentially destabilizing political question in the Balkans. The United States and its main European allies are expected to recognize Kosovo's independence in early 2008, over the heated objections of Serbia and Russia. Several pieces of legislation on Koso… more
Date: December 28, 2007
Creator: Woehrel, Steven
open access

Withdrawal from the ABM Treaty: Legal Considerations

Description: On December 13, 2001, President Bush gave formal notice to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Ukraine that the United States was withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty because of the constraints it imposes on the testing of missile defense systems; and six months later, on June 13, 2002, the treaty effectively terminated. The ABM Treaty has been in force since 1972. Pertinent legal questions that have been raised about U.S. withdrawal concern whether the treaty allows it; if so, t… more
Date: December 31, 2002
Creator: Ackerman, David M.
open access

Afghanistan: Connections to Islamic Movements In Central and South Asia and Southern Russia

Description: After several years of relative peace in Central Asia and southern Russia, Islamic extremist movements have become more active in Russia and in Central and South Asia, threatening stability in the region. Although numerous factors might account for the upsurge in activity, several of these movements appear to have connections to the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These linkages raise questions about whether the United States, as part of a broader effort to promote peace a… more
Date: December 7, 1999
Creator: Katzman, Kenneth
open access

Russian Missile Technology and Nuclear Reactor Transfers to Iran

Description: Many in Congress and the Clinton Administration charge that Russian entities are assisting Iran in developing ballistic missiles. Russia is also building a nuclear power station and is finishing other nuclear services to, Iran. Congress has passed legislation requiring the President to impose sanctions for missile technology transfers, arms sales, nuclear technology transfers, and large-scale investments in Iran. H.R 2709, which includes the "Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1997," i… more
Date: December 14, 1998
Creator: Goldman, Stuart D.; Katzman, Kenneth; Shuey, Robert & Behrens, Carl E.
open access

Russian Missile Technology and Nuclear Reactor Transfers to Iran

Description: This report discusses the U.S. response to the Russian Government potentially violating the Missile Technology Control Regime. The report details the accusations made against Russia, and the progression of Iran's nuclear power program. It also highlights the connection these allegations have with respect to U.S. policy and the sanctions that were introduced by the U.S. Congress as a result.
Date: December 14, 1998
Creator: Goldman, Stuart D.; Katzman, Kenneth; Shuey, Robert D. & Behrens, Carl E.
open access

China-U.S.-Soviet Relations

Description: In 1979, a time of clear downturn in U.S.-Soviet relations over such sensitive issues as SALT, Soviet troops in Cuba, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter Administration moved ahead with a series of measures designed to improve relations with Moscow's major adversary in Asia, the Peoples Republic of China (P.R.C.). The purpose of this report is to provide background for and summarize current developments in U.S. - People’s Republic of China (PRC) relations, including current and p… more
Date: December 3, 1981
Creator: Sutter, Robert G.
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