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U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated October 10, 2007]
"After the terrorist attacks […], the United States faced a challenge in enlisting the full support of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in counterterrorism. 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 issues 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. The extent of U.S.-China counterterrorism cooperation has been limited, but the tone and context of counterterrorism helped to stabilize -- even if it did not transform -- the closer bilateral relationship pursued by President George Bush since late 2001. China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), has not participated in the counterterrorism coalition. Still, for almost four years after the attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush and other administration officials tended to praise the PRC's diplomatic and other support for the war against terrorism. […]. In September 2005, Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick acknowledged that 'China and the United States can do more together in the global fight against terrorism' after 'a good start,' in his policy speech that called on China to be a 'responsible stakeholder' in the world. The summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2005 and 2006 raised U.S. concerns. Since the summer of 2007, U.S. officials have expressed more concern about China-origin arms that have been found in the conflict involving U.S. forces in Afghanistan […]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2007-10-10
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War Powers Resolution: After Thirty-Four Years [Updated March 10, 2008]
"This report discusses and assesses the War Powers Resolution, its application since enactment in 1973, providing detailed background on a variety of cases where it was utilized, or issues of its applicability were raised. It will be revised biannually. In the post-Cold War world, Presidents have continued to commit U.S. Armed Forces into potential hostilities, sometimes without a specific authorization from Congress. Thus the War Powers Resolution and its purposes continues to be a potential subject of controversy. On June 7, 1995 the House defeated, by a vote of 217-201, an amendment to repeal the central features of the War Powers Resolution that have been deemed unconstitutional by every President since the law's enactment in 1973. In 1999, after the President committed U.S. military forces to action in Yugoslavia without congressional authorization, Representative Tom Campbell used expedited procedures under the Resolution to force a debate and votes on U.S. military action in Yugoslavia, and later sought, unsuccessfully, through a federal court suit to enforce Presidential compliance with the terms of the War Powers Resolution."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2008-03-10
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U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress [Updated February 1, 2008]
"This CRS Report discusses policy issues regarding military-to-military (mil-to mil) contacts with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and provides a record of major contacts since 1993. […] In 1993, the Clinton Administration began to re-engage the PRC leadership up to the highest level and including China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA). […] Improvements and deteriorations in overall bilateral relations have affected military contacts […] Since 2001, the Bush Administration has continued the policy of engagement with China, while the Pentagon has skeptically reviewed and cautiously resumed a program of military-to-military exchanges. […] Issues for the 110th Congress include whether the Administration has complied with legislation overseeing dealings with the PLA and has determined a program of contacts with the PLA that advances a prioritized list of U.S. security interests. Oversight legislation includes the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY1990- FY1991 (P.L. 101-246); National Defense Authorization Act for FY2000 (P.L. 106- 65); and National Defense Authorization Act for FY2006 (P.L. 109-163). Skeptics and proponents of military exchanges with the PRC have debated whether the contacts have significant value for achieving U.S. objectives and whether the contacts have contributed to the PLA's warfighting capabilities that might harm U.S. security interests. U.S. interests in military contacts with China include: communication, conflict prevention, and crisis management; transparency and reciprocity; tension reduction over Taiwan; weapons nonproliferation; strategic nuclear and space talks; counterterrorism; and accounting for POW/MIAs. U.S. defense officials report inadequate cooperation from the PLA, including denials of port visits at Hong Kong by U.S. Navy ships in November 2007."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2008-02-01
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [Updated January 23, 2008]
"Policymakers are giving increased attention to issues associated with financing and investing in the nation's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, which take in water, treat it, and distribute it to households and other customers, and later collect, treat, and discharge water after use. The renewed attention is due to a combination of factors. These include financial impacts on communities of meeting existing and anticipated regulatory requirements, the need to repair and replace existing infrastructure, and concerns about paying for security-related projects. This report identifies a number of issues that have received attention in connection with water infrastructure investment. It begins with a review of federal involvement, describes the debate about needs, and then examines key issues, including what is the nature of the problems to be solved; who will pay, and what is the federal role; and questions about mechanisms for delivering federal support, including state-by-state allotment of federal funds. Congressional and Administration activity on these issues from the 107th to the 109th Congresses also is reviewed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2008-01-23
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U.S. Nuclear Cooperation with India: Issues for Congress [Updated February 12, 2008]
"On July 18, 2005, President Bush announced he would 'work to achieve full civil nuclear energy cooperation with India' and would 'also seek agreement from Congress to adjust U.S. laws and policies,' in the context of a broader, global partnership with India to promote stability, democracy, prosperity and peace. India, which has not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and does not have International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all nuclear material in peaceful nuclear activities, exploded a 'peaceful' nuclear device in 1974, convincing the world of the need for greater restrictions on nuclear trade. The United States created the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as a direct response to India's test, halted nuclear exports to India a few years later, and worked to convince other states to do the same. India tested nuclear weapons again in 1998. […] The Senate approved the conference report by unanimous consent early on December 9, and President Bush signed the bill into law (P.L. 109-401) on December 18, 2006. The law requires that the following, among other things, must occur before nuclear cooperation can proceed: submission of a finalized text of a cooperation agreement to Congress, approval of an IAEA safeguards agreement by the IAEA Board of Governors, consensus agreement within the NSG to make an exception for India, and passage of a joint resolution of approval of the agreement by the Congress. India and the United States reached agreement in July 2007 on the text of a nuclear cooperation agreement, and New Delhi has been conducting discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency since this past November."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2008-02-12
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U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2009 Request [Updated March 7, 2008]
"This report is an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to the Middle East from FY2004 to FY2008, and of the FY2009 budget request. It includes a brief history of aid to the region, a review of foreign aid levels, a description of selected country programs, and an analysis of current foreign aid issues. It will be updated periodically to reflect recent developments. For foreign aid terminology and acronyms, please see the glossary appended to this report. For policymakers, foreign assistance plays a key role in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals in the Middle East. The United States has a number of interests in the region, ranging from support for the state of Israel and Israel's peaceful relations with its Arab neighbors, to the protection of vital petroleum supplies and the fight against international terrorism. U.S. assistance helps to maintain the 1979 Camp David peace accords between Israel and Egypt and the continued stability of the Kingdom of Jordan, which signed its own peace treaty with Israel in 1994. U.S. funding also works to improve Palestinian civil society, and aid officials have worked to ensure that U.S. aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip is not diverted to terrorist groups. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has established new region-wide aid programs to promote democracy and encourage socio-economic reform in order to undercut the forces of radicalism in some Arab countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2008-03-07
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U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients [Updated February 25, 2008]
"This report analyzes annual budget justifications and legislation for foreign operations appropriations and discusses U.S. foreign aid trends, programs, and restrictions in 16 East Asian and South Asian countries. It does not cover aid to Pacific Island nations, North Korea, and Afghanistan. Country tables do not include assistance from U.S. State Department programs funded outside the foreign operations budget, such as educational and cultural exchange programs, and assistance from other departments and agencies. Since the war on terrorism began in 2001 and the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and Global HIV/AIDS Initiative (GHAI) were launched in 2004, the United States has increased foreign aid spending dramatically in some regions, including East and South Asia. The United States has raised military, economic, and development assistance primarily for counterterrorism objectives in the East Asia- Pacific (EAP) and South Asia regions, with Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia receiving the bulk of the increases. In 2007, the Bush Administration restructured U.S. foreign aid programs to better serve the goal of transformational development, which places greater emphasis on U.S. security and democracy building as the chief goals of foreign aid."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2008-02-25
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U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options [Updated September 15, 2005]
"Japan and the United States are the two largest economic powers. Together they account for over 40% of world domestic product, for a significant portion of international trade in goods and services, and for a major portion of international investment. This economic clout makes the United States and Japan powerful actors in the world economy. Economic conditions in the United States and Japan have a significant impact on the rest of the world. Furthermore, the U.S.-Japan bilateral economic relationship can influence economic conditions in other countries. The U.S.-Japan economic relationship is very strong and mutually advantageous. The two economies are highly integrated via trade in goods and services--they are large markets for each other's exports and important sources of imports. More importantly, Japan and the United States are closely connected via capital flows. Japan is the largest foreign source of financing of the U.S. national debt and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, as the mounting U.S. debt needs to be financed and the stock of U.S. domestic savings remains insufficient to meet the demand. Japan is also a significant source of foreign private portfolio and direct investment in the United States, and the United States is the origin of much of the foreign investment in Japan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2005-09-15
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U.S. Army's Modular Redesign: Issues for Congress [Updated February 10, 2005]
"In what the Army describes as the 'most significant Army restructuring in the past 50 years,' the Army intends to redesign its current 10 active duty division force to a 43 or 48 brigade-level unit of action or UA force by FY2007. The Army National Guard will also redesign its force structure in a similar fashion. While the Army cites the need for a more responsive, deployable, joint, and expeditionary force, others suggest that the primary reason for redesign is the ever increasing long term troop requirements to support the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The addition of up to 15 additional active duty and a yet to be finalized number of Army National Guard brigade-sized UAs could provide an additional force pool of deployable units to ease the burden on units presently deployed, and possibly to shorten the length of time that units are deployed on operations. The Army has two other concurrent initiatives underway which it considers inextricably linked to its brigade-centric redesign -- restructuring to create new 'high demand' units and stabilizing the force. Both initiatives involve substantial policy, organizational, and personnel changes from FY2004 - FY2009."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2005-02-10
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U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications [Updated July 11, 2005]
"The overall effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy has been relatively small, primarily because two-way trade with Mexico amounts to less than three percent of U.S. GDP. The most significant trade issues that the United States and Mexico are focusing on in 2005 include agricultural products, the trucking industry, and rules of origin. Over the last decade, the economic relationship between the United States and Mexico has strengthened significantly. The two countries continue to cooperate on issues of mutual concern. On March 23, 2005, President Bush met with President Fox and Prime Minister Martin of Canada to discuss issues related to North American trade, immigration and defense. After the meeting, the three leaders announced the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) in which they seek to establish a cooperative approach to advance their common security and prosperity; develop a common security strategy; and promote economic growth, competitiveness, and quality of life. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles; Flynn, Paul J.
2005-07-11
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U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications [May 25, 2005]
"The bilateral economic relationship with Mexico is among the most important for the United States. The most significant feature of the relationship is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been in effect since 1994. In bilateral trade, Mexico is the United States' second most important trading partner, while the United States is Mexico's most important trading partner. In U.S. imports, Mexico ranks third among U.S. trading partners, after Canada and China, while in exports Mexico ranks second, after Canada. The United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico. These links are critical to many U.S. industries and border communities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles; Flynn, Paul J.
2005-05-25
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U.S. Military Operations in the Global War on Terrorism: Afghanistan, Africa, the Philippines, and Colombia [August 26, 2005]
"U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, Africa, the Philippines, and Colombia are part of the U.S.-initiated Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). These operations cover a wide variety of combat and non-combat missions ranging from combating insurgents, to civil affairs and reconstruction operations, to training military forces of other nations in counternarcotics, counterterrorism, and counterinsurgency tactics. Numbers of U.S. forces involved in these operations range from 18,000 to just a few hundred. Some have argued that U.S. military operations in these countries are achieving a degree of success and suggest that they may offer some lessons that might be applied in Iraq as well as for future GWOT operations. Potential issues for Congress include NATO assumption of responsibility for operations in Afghanistan, counterdrug operations in Afghanistan, a long-term strategy for Africa, and developments in Colombia and the Philippines. This report will not discuss the provision of equipment and weapons to countries where the U.S. military is conducting counterterrorism operations1 nor will it address Foreign Military Sales (FMS), which are also aspects of the Administration's GWOT military strategy. This report will be updated on a periodic basis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2005-08-26
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U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union [Updated October 21, 2005]
"Since 1992, the United States has provided more than $26 billion in assistance to the 12 states of the former Soviet Union (FSU). It continues to provide nearly $2 billion annually. Over the years, various aspects of the program have drawn strong congressional interest and sponsorship; some country programs have been the subject of controversy and debate. At one time or another, these aid programs have sought to address the range of U.S. foreign policy, strategic, and economic interests in the region. This report describes the broad framework of U.S. assistance programs and policies in the former Soviet Union and then focuses on the foreign operations FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) account which, encompassing all U.S. objectives in the region, has often been the means by which Congress has expressed its views and sought to influence policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt
2005-10-21
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U.S.-China Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated July 21, 2005]
"The extent of U.S.-China counter-terrorism cooperation has been limited, but the tone and context of counter-terrorism helped to stabilize--even if it did not transform--the bilateral relationship. Congress has oversight over the trend toward closer ties with China as well as a range of policy options. These options cover law-enforcement cooperation; designations of terrorist organizations; release of detained Uighurs from Guantanamo Bay prison; weapons nonproliferation; waivers of sanctions for the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown to export security equipment (e.g., for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing); the Container Security Initiative (CSI); military-to-military contacts; and China's influence on Central Asia through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). On July 19, 2005, the House passed an amendment to H.R. 2601 to express concerns that China and other SCO countries called for a deadline for U.S. deployments in Central Asia. The House passed H.R. 2601 on July 20. This report will be updated as warranted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2005-07-21
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U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients [Updated August 27, 2006]
"Since the war on terrorism began in 2001, and the Bush Administration's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and Global HIV/AIDS Initiative (GHAI) were initiated in 2004, the United States has increased foreign aid spending dramatically in some regions. The United States has raised military, economic, and development assistance primarily for anti-terrorism objectives in the East Asia- Pacific (EAP) and South Asia regions, with Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia receiving the bulk of the increases. Average annual funding for the EAP region (excluding North Korea) during 2002-2006 was $494 million compared to $368 million in 2001. Annual foreign aid spending for South Asia (excluding Afghanistan) during 2002-2006 averaged $953 million compared to $201 million in 2001. The United States government has acknowledged other aid recipients, particularly Malaysia, Mongolia, and Thailand, for cooperating with global counterterrorism efforts and for making progress in developing their economies and democratic institutions. As such, the United States acts to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security goals and respond to global development and humanitarian needs through its foreign assistance programs. This report analyzes annual budget justifications and legislation for foreign operations and discusses U.S. foreign aid trends, programs, and restrictions in 16 East Asian and South Asian countries. This report does not cover aid to Pacific Island nations, North Korea, and Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2006-08-27
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U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues [Updated September 8, 2006]
"As Congress reviews the Bush Administration's plans for U.S. strategic nuclear forces, it may review a number of questions about the future size of that force. For example, some have questioned why the United States must retain 2,200 strategic nuclear warheads. Congress may also question the Administration's plans for reductions in the Minuteman force and B-52 fleet. This report includes background on the 'strategic triad,' strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, submarine launched ballistic missiles, bombers, and other issues for congress. This report will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2006-09-08
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U.S. Public Diplomacy: Background and the 9/11 Commission Recommendations [Updated October 19, 2006]
"While the 9/11 terrorist attacks rallied unprecedented support abroad for the United States initially, they also heightened the awareness among government officials and terrorism experts that a significant number of people, especially within Muslim populations, harbor enough hatred for America so as to become a pool for terrorists. Over time it became clear that for the global war on terrorism to succeed, sustained cooperation from around the world would be required. Many U.S. policymakers now recognize the importance of how America and its policies are perceived abroad. A former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and both chairmen of the 9/11 Commission expressed the view that public diplomacy tools are at least as important in the war on terrorism as military tools and should be given equal status and increased funding. As a result of the 9/11 Commission recommendations, Congress passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S. 2845, P.L. 108-458) which included provisions expanding public diplomacy activities in Muslim populations. At the same time, some believe that there are limits to what public diplomacy can do when the problem is not foreign misperception of America, but rather disagreements with specific U.S. foreign policies. A major expansion of U.S. public diplomacy activities and funding cannot change that, they say. This report presents the challenges that have focused renewed attention on public diplomacy, provides background on public diplomacy, actions the Administration and Congress have taken since 9/11 to make public diplomacy more effective, as well as recommendations offered by others, particularly the 9/11 Commission."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.
2006-10-19
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Uganda: Current Conditions and the Crisis in North Uganda [October 20, 2006]
"In February 2006, Ugandans voted in the first multi-party elections in almost 26 years. President Yoweri Museveni and his ruling National Revolutionary Movement (NRM) parliamentary candidates won a decisive victory over opposition candidate Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democracy Coalition. Nevertheless, poll results showed a notable decline in support for President Museveni from previous elections. International election observers did not condemn the election results, nor did they fully endorse the electoral process. Critics charged the government with intimidating the opposition during the pre-election period, and Besigye spent much of the campaign period in jail. The election followed a controversial move by the Ugandan parliament in July 2005 to remove the constitutional two-term limit on the presidency. In the north, the government of Uganda fought the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), an armed rebel group backed by the government of Sudan. Through over 20 years of civil war, the brutal insurgency has created a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 1.5 million and resulted in the abduction of over 20,000 children. In recent months, the government and the LRA have entered into peace negotiations mediated by the government of Southern Sudan. The negotiations have had some limited success in halting the fighting through a negotiated ceasefire, but observers suggest criminal indictments by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the LRA's leadership may limit the rebels' willingness to reach a final settlement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2006-10-20
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U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options [Updated July 9, 2007]
"During the last decade policy leaders seem to have made a deliberate effort to drastically reduce the friction that prevailed in the economic relationship. On the one hand, this calmer environment has stabilized the bilateral relationship and permitted the two countries to focus their attention on other issues of mutual interest, such as national security. On the other hand, as some have argued, the friendlier environment masks serious problems that require more attention, such as continuing Japanese failure to resolve long-standing market access barriers to U.S. exports of autos and auto parts and flat glass and the failure of the two countries to reduce bilateral trade imbalances. Failure to resolve any of these outstanding issues could cause heightened friction between the two countries. Issues regarding U.S.-Japan economic relations may emerge on the agenda of the 110th Congress. U.S. and Japanese leaders have several options on how to manage their relationship including stronger reliance on the World Trade Organization; special bilateral negotiating frameworks and agreements; or a free trade agreement. Each option has its advantages and drawbacks and they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cooper, William H., 1949-
2007-07-09
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War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance [Updated July 25, 2007]
"For over three decades, war powers and the War Powers Resolution have been an issue in U.S. military actions in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Central America, and Europe. Authorizing military actions in response to the terrorist attacks against the United States of September 11, 2001, through P.L. 107-40 directly involved war powers. The continued use of force to obtain Iraqi compliance with U.N. resolutions remained a war powers issue from the end of the Gulf war on February 28, 1991, until the enactment of P.L. 107-243, in October 2002, which explicitly authorized the President to use force against Iraq, an authority he exercised in March 2003, and continues to exercise for military operations in Iraq. Debate continues on whether using the War Powers Resolution is effective as a means of assuring congressional participation in decisions that might get the United States involved in a significant military conflict. Proposals have been made to modify or repeal the resolution. None have been enacted to date. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2007-07-25
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U.S. Assistance to Vietnam [Updated June 17, 2005]
"U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic and economic relations were non-existent for more than fifteen years following communist North Vietnam's victory in 1975 over U.S. ally South Vietnam. Normalization of relations, particularly in the economic sphere, between the United States and unified Vietnam began in earnest in the 1990s. As the normalization process has proceeded, the U.S. has eliminated most of the Cold War-era restrictions on U.S. aid to Vietnam, and U.S. assistance has increased markedly from around $1 million when assistance was resumed in 1991 to nearly $50 million in FY2004. [...] This report quantifies and briefly describes U.S. assistance programs to Vietnam. It includes an appendix detailing funding levels for U.S. aid programs. The report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2005-06-17
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U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet Union [Updated July 14, 2005]
"Three objectives have been most prominent in the U.S. assistance program to the region--facilitating the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, promoting the introduction and growth of free market economies, and fostering security by controlling the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and expertise. More recently, a fourth objective, very much encompassing the other three, has emerged--supporting the war on terror. A fifth objective of U.S. assistance, humanitarian relief, was mostly applied in the early 1990s in response to countries experiencing food shortages."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt
2005-07-14
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U.S. Nuclear Cooperation with India: Issues for Congress [July 29, 2005]
"The Bush Administration has been exploring ways of creating a strategic partnership with India since 2001. Indian officials identified their growing energy needs as an area for cooperation, particularly in nuclear energy. The U.S.-India 2004 Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) initiative included expanded cooperation in civil nuclear technology as one of three goals. Phase I of the NSSP, completed in September 2004, required addressing proliferation concerns and ensuring compliance with U.S. export controls. In September 2004, the Administration published a final ruling stating there was a presumption of approval of licenses for some items that are used in the 'balance of plant' (non-reactor-related end-uses) activities at safeguarded nuclear facilities, and that are not multilaterally controlled for nuclear proliferation reasons. 'Balance of plant' activities, refers 'to the part of a nuclear power plant used for power generation (e.g., turbines, controllers, or power distribution) to distinguish it from the nuclear reactor.' In practice, this means certain dual-use equipment (e.g. machine tools), not controlled by the Nuclear Suppliers Group because they do not meet certain performance criteria, could be exported to the Rajasthan and Tarapur reactors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2005-07-29
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U.S. Nuclear Weapons: Changes in Policy and Force Structure [Updated August 10, 2006]
"The Bush Administration conducted a review of U.S. nuclear weapons force posture during its first year in office. Although the review sought to adjust U.S. nuclear posture to address changes in the international security environment at the start of the new century, it continued many of the policies and programs that had been a part of U.S. nuclear posture during the previous decade and during the Cold War. This report […] provides an overview of the U.S. nuclear posture to highlight areas of change and areas of continuity." In particular, the document addresses U.S. nuclear strategy and doctrine during and after the Cold War, targeting, nuclear infrastructure, and the Nuclear Posture Review. Also included are discussions of the U.S. force structure of non-strategic nuclear weapons, strategic nuclear weapons, and ballistic missile defenses both before and after the Cold War, focusing on the Bush Administration's policies. The report contains tables of the levels of U.S. strategic nuclear forces over time.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2006-08-10
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U.S. Nuclear Cooperation With India: Issues for Congress [Updated July 21, 2006]
"In late June, the House International Relations Committee (H.R. 5682) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee (S. 3709; S. Report 109-288) reported their versions of legislation to create an exception for India from relevant provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. Both bills provide the requisite waivers, with minor modifications, retain the requirement for a joint resolution of Congress for such an agreement to enter into force and contain some restrictions. S. 3709 would prohibit cooperation in sensitive nuclear technologies, with a narrow exception and require end-use monitoring of U.S. exports. Both bills contain significant reporting requirements. The House will consider H.R. 5682 on July 26, 2006. Negotiations on the cooperation agreement with India have begun, with the next round scheduled for mid-July in New Delhi. Although U.S. officials offered draft decision language to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) members in March on a broad exception for India, members discussed the issue but did not agree to take up a decision at the May 2006 plenary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2006-07-21
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U.S.-Vietnam Relations: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 30, 2006]
"After communist North Vietnam's victory over U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1975, U.S.-Vietnam relations remained essentially frozen for over 15 years. Since then, bilateral ties have expanded remarkably, to the point where the relationship in many ways has been virtually normalized. Congress has played a significant role in this process. Each step in improving bilateral ties has brought controversy, albeit at diminishing levels. Some argue that improvements in bilateral relations should be conditioned upon Hanoi improving its record on human and religious rights, particularly in the Central Highlands region. Opposition to the pace and scope of normalization also has come from groups arguing that Vietnam has not done enough to account for U.S. Prisoners of War/Missing in Action from the Vietnam War, though this argument has diminished markedly in recent years. Interests favoring normalization have included those reflecting a strong U.S. business interest in Vietnam's reforming economy and American strategic interests in integrating Vietnam more fully into East Asia and in expanding cooperation with a country that has an ambivalent relationship with China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2006-06-30
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Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [Updated August 23, 2006]
"After taking office as President, Yushchenko said that Ukraine would seek integration into the global economy and Euro-Atlantic institutions. The Ukrainian government's main foreign policy goal is to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of this year. In the longer term, Ukraine's leaders seek to join the European Union and NATO. Ukraine is seeking to retain good ties with Russia, but relations have been troubled since Yushchenko has taken power, particularly after Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine in January 2006. The supplies were quickly restored, but only after Ukraine agreed to a hefty increase in gas prices. Yanukovych's return to power may result in closer Ukrainian ties to Russia and less effective Ukrainian government support for the country's WTO membership and Euro-Atlantic integration. U.S. officials supported the 'Orange Revolution' in Ukraine in late 2004 and early 2005, warning the former regime against trying to impose fraudulent election results, and hailing Yushchenko's ultimate victory. U.S. officials have remained upbeat about Ukraine's successes in some areas, such as adopting legislation needed for WTO membership and in improving media freedom, while acknowledging difficulties in others. Administration officials have also praised Ukraine's efforts to hold a free and fair parliamentary election on March 26, 2006 and have vowed to work with the new government led by Prime Minister Yanukovych."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2006-08-23
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U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy [Updated June 27, 2006]
"After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States faced a challenge in enlisting the full support of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in counterterrorism. 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. The extent of U.S.-China counterterrorism cooperation has been limited, but the tone and context of counterterrorism helped to stabilize- even if it did not transform- the bilateral relationship pursued by President George Bush. In September 2005, Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick acknowledged that 'China and the United States can do more together in the global fight against terrorism' after 'a good start,' in his major policy speech calling China a 'stakeholder' in his search for a deeper framework for the bilateral relationship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2006-06-27
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U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation: A Side-By-Side Comparison of Current Legislation [September 5, 2006]
"In March 2006, the Bush Administration proposed legislation to create an exception for India from certain provisions of the Atomic Energy Act to facilitate a future nuclear cooperation agreement. After hearings in April and May, the House International Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considered bills in late June 2006 to provide an exception for India to certain provisions of the Atomic Energy Act related to a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement. On July 26, 2006, the House passed its version of the legislation, H.R. 5682. Senate consideration of similar legislation is pending. This report provides a thematic side-by-side comparison of the provisions of the two bills, H.R. 5682 (as agreed) and S. 3709 (as reported), with the Administration's proposed legislation, H.R. 4974/S. 2429."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.; Parillo, Jill Marie
2006-09-05
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Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy [Updated March 12, 2007]
"The United States provided $5.9 million to Venezuela in FY2006, including $2.2 million under the Andean Counterdrug Initiative and $3.7 million in Transition Initiatives funding. For FY2007, the Administration requested $1 million in ACI funding, $1.5 million in ESF for democracy initiatives, and $45,000 for International Military Education and Training (IMET). For FY2008, the Administration requested $3 million in Development Assistance and $50,000 for IMET. As over the past several years, the 110th Congress will likely focus on oversight hearings on conditions in Venezuela, energy security, and the overall status of bilateral relations and U.S. policy, with legislative initiatives likely focusing on funding for U.S. democracy and anti-drug initiatives in Venezuela, the human rights situation, and energy security. To date in the 110th Congress, two resolutions have been introduced on the human rights situation in Venezuela: H.Con.Res. 50 (Fortuño) and H.Con.Res. 77 (Weller). Another bill, S. 193 (Lugar), the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007, would increase hemispheric cooperation on energy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Olhero, Nelson
2007-03-12
