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open access

California Drought: Hydrological and Regulatory Water Supply Issues

Description: This report discusses California's current hydrological situation and provides background on regulatory restrictions affecting California water deliveries, as well as on the long-established state water rights system, which also results in uneven water deliveries in times of shortages.
Date: December 7, 2009
Creator: Cody, Betsy A.; Folger, Peter & Brougher, Cynthia
open access

China's Currency: A Summary of the Economic Issues

Description: This report explores various aspects of the Chinese economy, including specific policies that some Members of Congress consider a form of currency manipulation, the U.S.-China economic relationship, and the state of the Chinese economy with respect to the current global economic crisis.
Date: December 7, 2009
Creator: Morrison, Wayne M. & Labonte, Marc
open access

Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options

Description: 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.
Date: December 7, 2009
Creator: Woolf, Amy F.
open access

Afghanistan: Narcotics and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides current statistical information, profiles the Afghanistan narcotics trade's participants, explores linkages between narcotics, insecurity, and corruption, and reviews U.S. and international policy responses since late 2001. The report also considers ongoing policy debates regarding the counternarcotics role of coalition military forces, poppy eradication, alternative livelihoods, and funding issues for Congress.
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: Blanchard, Christopher M.
open access

Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides background information on the C-17 Aircraft program, including previous appropriations, related programs, and issues for Congress. The primary issue for Congress in FY2010 is whether to procure additional C-17s. An additional issue is whether to pass legislation relating to the airlift aircraft force structure. Congress's decisions on these issues could affect DOD capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. military aircraft industrial base.
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
open access

Iran: Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy

Description: This report provides a description of Iran's neighbors' policies and interests, options for Congressional consideration, and an analysis of potential regional implications
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: Addis, Casey L.; Blanchard, Christopher M.; Katzman, Kenneth; Migdalovitz, Carol; Nichol, Jim; Sharp, Jeremy M. et al.
open access

Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis

Description: 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.
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: Ploch, Lauren
open access

Managing Electronic Waste: Issues with Exporting E-Waste

Description: This report looks at issues specifically related to export for recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). Particularly, it discusses documented impacts to human health and the environment that have been tied to unsafe recycling practices in developing countries, as well as issues that have motivated certain stakeholders to divert e-waste from landfill disposal and, hence, increase recycling.
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: Luther, Linda
open access

Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress

Description: This report provides an overview discussion on the modernization of U.S. military tactical aircraft, meaning fighter aircraft, strike fighters, and attack planes. Tactical aircraft are a major component of U.S. military capability, and account for a significant portion of U.S. defense spending. In early 2009, the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps collectively had an inventory of about 3,500 tactical aircraft.
Date: October 7, 2009
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
open access

ATPA Renewal: Background and Issues

Description: This report outlines the various aspects of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), including significant dates and modifications. The ATPA extends special duty treatment to certain U.S. imports from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru that meet domestic content and other requirements. The purpose of ATPA is to promote economic growth in the Andean region and to encourage a shift away from dependence on illegal drugs by supporting legitimate economic activities.
Date: August 7, 2009
Creator: Villarreal, M. A.
open access

Colombia: Issues for Congress

Description: 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.
Date: August 7, 2009
Creator: Beittel, June S. & Ribando Seelke, Clare
open access

Foreign Aid Reform: Agency Coordination

Description: 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.
Date: August 7, 2009
Creator: Lawson, Marian L. & Epstein, Susan B.
open access

Iraq: Reconstruction Assistance

Description: Following the 2003 intervention in Iraq, the United States undertook a large-scale assistance program meant to stabilize the country, rehabilitate economic infrastructure, and introduce representative government, among other objectives. Even as the U.S. military role in Iraq winds down, this program, funded through a mix of appropriations accounts, will continue to be scrutinized closely by the 111th Congress. This report describes recent developments in this assistance effort.
Date: August 7, 2009
Creator: Tarnoff, Curt
open access

Kyrgyzstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

Description: This report examines Kyrgyzstan's uneven political and economic reform efforts. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance for democratization and other programs. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, by Jim Nichol.
Date: August 7, 2009
Creator: Nichol, Jim
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