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• DoD Actions to Address Findings and Recommendations of the 2021 On-Site Installation Evaluations

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  From the Memorandum: "On my first full day in office, I made countering the scourge of sexual assault in the military a key priority. In the month following, I directed the establishment of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC) and directed broad policy compliance checks, the assessment and development of prevention capabilities at each installation, the enhancement of the Department's command climate efforts, and site visits to a representative sample of military installations. These site visits culminated in the release of the 2021 On-Site Installation Evaluation (OSIE) Report covering 20 DoD sites. The Office of Personnel and Readiness designed the OSIE to review best practices and areas for improvement across our installations. The OSIE Report provides the Department's most senior leaders greater visibility at the local level that can be scaled enterprise-wide. The OSIE Report will also allow the Department to better tailor our continued implementation of the IRC's recommendations. [...] I have reviewed and approved the findings and recommendations of the inaugural 2021 OSIE Report. The recommendations of the 2021 OSIE Report complement the recommendations I accepted from the IRC, of which active and urgent implementation is underway. While we have made progress, we must do more to strengthen the integrated capabilities we have on the ground to prevent sexual assault, harassment, suicide, domestic abuse, and other harmful behaviors."

  United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense

  Austin, Lloyd J. (Lloyd James), 1953-

  2022-03-30
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated December 30, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the COVID-19 pandemic might have for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant and even profound implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy, and for the status of Congress as a co-equal branch relative to the executive branch in setting and overseeing the implementation of U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2020-12-30
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated December 14, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. Observers who argue the COVID-19 pandemic could be world-changing for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world have focused on several areas of potential change[.] [...] Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant and even profound implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy, and for the status of Congress as a co-equal branch relative to the executive branch in setting and overseeing the implementation of U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2020-12-14
• U.S. Military Drawdown in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [February 4, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "In 2021, a year that will mark the twentieth anniversary of the entry of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, U.S. forces there are at the lowest level since 2001 due to the Trump Administration's reduction of U.S. forces to 2,500 and its conditional commitment to the Taliban to withdraw fully by April 2021. [...] U.S. commanders state that the reduction of U.S. troops to 2,500 will not result in any major changes to the two complementary U.S. missions in Afghanistan, namely counterterrorism and training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces. However, some have implied that the troop level might result in adjustments to U.S. operations and limits to U.S. options. [...] The February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement also commits the United States to withdrawing from Afghanistan all 'private security contractors,' which have played an important role in U.S. operations. The drawdown also has implications for U.S. physical assets in the country and the considerable U.S. diplomatic presence at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. [...] Experts have laid out a number of approaches that the Biden Administration, which is reportedly conducting a review of the U.S.-Taliban agreement and broader U.S. Afghanistan policy, might take in light of the U.S. troop drawdown. These include withdrawing all U.S. forces by April 2021 as scheduled, pausing or reversing the withdrawal pending certain Taliban actions, and indefinitely supporting Afghan forces. This report will be updated to reflect related developments or new considerations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); Gill, Cory R.; Hacker, Tyler F. . . .

  2021-02-04
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated August 12, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2020-08-12
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated August 5, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and appendices listing CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Biden Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-08-05
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated July 13, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and appendices listing CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Biden Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-07-13
• National Security Council: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 3, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "On February 4, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed National Security Memorandum (NSM)- 2, 'Renewing the National Security Council System.' In it, the Biden Administration articulates how it intends to manage and coordinate national security issues among relevant departments and agencies. This report offers a brief historical overview of the formation of the National Security Council (NSC), clarifies the terms and structures associated with it, and provides a table of the NSC's current composition."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.; Rollins, John W.

  2021-06-03
• Twenty Years of Military Operations in Afghanistan: Key Questions [September 27, 2021]

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  From the Document: "After 20 years of operations, training, investment and capacity building, the swift collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), followed by the Taliban's takeover of the country, is prompting debate on how such a significant strategic setback could take place. Many observers attribute such failures to the decisions made by the United States and its European and other partners at the time the Taliban was ousted from power in late 2001, including how to structure post-Taliban governance and Afghan security forces. The outcome of the campaign also provides an opportunity to reflect on how the U.S. military conducted its operations alongside its coalition partners, as well as the overall efficacy of the military as an instrument for achieving strategic goals. Section 1080 of H.R. 4350 (H.Rept. 117-118), the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, would establish a Commission on Afghanistan that would assess the war in Afghanistan and make recommendations to inform future operations. Senate action is pending."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew

  2021-09-27
• Interim National Security Strategic Guidance [March 29, 2021]

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  From the Document: "On March 3, 2021, the White House released an Interim National Security Strategic Guidance (INSSG). This is the first time an administration has issued interim guidance; previous administrations refrained from issuing formal guidance that articulated strategic intent until producing the congressionally mandated National Security Strategy (NSS) (originating in the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 P.L. [public law] 99-433, §603/50 U.S.C §3043). The full NSS is likely to be released later in 2021 or early 2022. The INSSG states the Biden Administration's conceptual approach to national security matters as well as signaling its key priorities, particularly as executive branch departments and agencies prepare their Fiscal Year(FY) 2022 budget submissions. With respect to the latter, FY2022 will be the first budget prepared after the expiration of the budget caps required under the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. Details regarding how the Administration's conceptual approach will be implemented across different regions and functional issues are likely to be expressed in the full NSS."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-03-29
• Afghanistan Withdrawal: Military and Defense Implications [August 17, 2021]

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  From the Document: "After a rapid Taliban campaign to capture cities and territories formerly controlled by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), on August 15, 2021, the Taliban took Kabul and the President of GIRoA, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country. Information regarding the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and U.S. troop numbers is fluid and should be treated with caution. This Insight, which may be updated as circumstances warrant, is intended to assist Congress as it considers the military and defense implications of the withdrawal while events unfold."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew

  2021-08-17
• U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 17, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country with a speed that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The U.S. military and diplomatic withdrawal and evacuation operation concluded on August 30, 2021, with the departure of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The fall of the elected Afghan government, which had been supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan[.] [...] The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .

  2021-09-17
• Establishment of the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee

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  From the Memorandum: "We have the strongest military in the world because we have the strongest team in the world. It is imperative that we take care of all our teammates and continue to reinforce that mental health and suicide prevention remain a key priority. One death by suicide is one too many. And suicide rates among our Service members are still too high. So, clearly we have more work to do. To that end, I hereby establish the 'Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee' (SPRIRC) to address and prevent suicide in the military, pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (section 738). The SPRIRC will conduct a comprehensive review of the Department's efforts to address and prevent suicide. The result of this review will be a report to me and to the congressional armed services committees detailing actionable improvements to policies, programs, processes, and resources to prevent these tragedies in our military. The review will require visits to specific military installations, focus groups, individual interviews, and a confidential survey of Service members at the designated locations. The SPRIRC will review relevant suicide prevention and response activities, as well as actions underway on my immediate actions on addressing sexual assault and recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military, to ensure SPRIRC recommendations are synchronized with current prevention activities and capabilities. The SPRIRC shall conduct such other activities as it deems appropriate."

  United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense

  Austin, Lloyd J. (Lloyd James), 1953-

  2022-03-22
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated June 29, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the COVID-19 pandemic might have for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-

  2020-06-29
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated May 27, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-

  2020-05-27
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated May 4, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-

  2020-05-04
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [April 30, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-

  2020-04-30
• United States European Command: Overview and Key Issues [Updated August 4, 2020]

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  From the Document: "United States European Command (or EUCOM, pronounced 'YEW-com') is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and was established in 1952. Today its area of responsibility comprises 51 countries stretching from Portugal's Azores Islands to Iceland and Israel. USEUCOM's commander is currently U.S. Air Force General Tod Wolters, who is simultaneously the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR). During the Cold War, the European theater was a primary focus for U.S. defense and national security and EUCOM was focused almost exclusively on deterring, and if necessary defeating, the Soviet Union. At the height of the Cold War, there were more than 400,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to a withdrawal of the bulk of forward-deployed U.S. troops in the European theater. Decisions to do so were arguably based on a number of strategic assumptions held by successive administrations after the end of the Cold War, including that Europe could be stable, whole, and free; Russia could be a constructive partner in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture; and particularly prior to September 11, 2001, threats posed by terrorism and migration from the Middle East/North Africa region were limited."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.; McGarry, Brendan W.

  2020-08-04
• U.S. Military Presence in Poland [Updated August 4, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Poland has been a major focus of U.S. and NATO efforts to deter potential Russian aggression in Europe. This is due in part to its geographic location on NATO's eastern flank, providing land access to the Baltic States. Although Ukraine is not a NATO ally, the Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and subsequent initiation of a separatist war in eastern Ukraine underscored to many observers that NATO allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, could once again be threatened by Moscow. In response, the United States and its NATO allies have undertaken a number of initiatives to emphasize NATO's collective defense agreements, thereby assuring allies of their own security while simultaneously deterring Russian aggression. Poland is a critical partner in these efforts. The United States has bolstered security in Central and Eastern Europe with an increased rotational military presence, additional exercises and training with allies and partners, improved infrastructure to allow greater responsiveness, enhanced prepositioning of U.S. equipment, and intensified efforts to build partner capacity for newer NATO members and non-NATO countries. The European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), launched in 2014 (originally called the European Reassurance Initiative), an Overseas Contingency Operations account in the U.S. defense budget, is the key fiscal mechanism by which it does so. U.S. military operational activities of EDI are executed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). Approximately 6,000 U.S. military personnel are involved in OAR at any given time, with units typically operating in the region under a rotational nine-month deployment."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Mix, Derek E.

  2020-08-04
• Congress, Civilian Control of the Military, and Nonpartisanship [Updated June 11, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The possible use of federal armed forces as part of the U.S. executive branch's response to incidents of violence during racial justice protests has raised questions about how the military is controlled by domestic political institutions and the U.S. military's relationship with American society. Article I of the U.S. Constitution grants specific powers to Congress, making the legislative branch a key actor in governing, overseeing, and funding the U.S. military."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2020-06-11
• U.S. Military Presence in Poland [Updated July 2, 2020]

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  From the Introduction: "Poland has been a major focus of U.S. and NATO efforts to deter potential Russian aggression in Europe. This is due in part to its geographic location on NATO's eastern flank, providing land access to the Baltic states. Although Ukraine is not a NATO ally, the Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and subsequent initiation of a separatist war in eastern Ukraine underscored to many observers that NATO allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, could once again be threatened by Moscow. In response, the United States and its NATO allies have undertaken a number of initiatives to emphasize NATO's collective defense agreements, thereby assuring allies of their own security while simultaneously deterring Russian aggression. Poland is a critical partner in these efforts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Mix, Derek E.

  2020-07-02
• Defense Primer: The Department of Defense [Updated January 15, 2021]

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  From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) was established after World War II through the 1947 National Security Act. At the time, some, including President Truman, took the view that the different components of the U.S. military had been insufficiently integrated to wage World War II effectively. The intention of the 1947 Act was therefore to create, for the first time, an integrated institution that combined the Departments of War and Navy, and to establish a policy architecture for overseeing the newly reorganized military apparatus. Over time, DOD has grown into one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, comprising over 3 million employees stationed across the United States and around the globe."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-01-15
• Defense Primer: Commanding U.S. Military Operations [Updated January 15, 2021]

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  From the Document: "Military operations, both in peacetime and in war, are an inherently complex undertaking. One key to success, therefore, is a clear, unified chain of command. This enables senior leaders in the U.S. government--in particular, the President and the Secretary of Defense--to command and control military forces around the world."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-01-15
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated March 17, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. [...] Appendix A [hyperlink] presents a list of CRS reports that provide more in-depth discussions of issues presented in this report. Appendix B [hyperlink] presents a list of additional writings reflecting various perspectives on these issues."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-

  2021-03-17
• Availability and Use of F-35 Fighter Aircraft

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  From the Document: "Complementing earlier research by the Congressional Budget Office, this report examines the availability and use of the Department of Defense's (DoD's) F-35 fighter aircraft. The F-35 has three variants: the F-35A, operated by the Air Force; the F-35B, operated by the Marine Corps; and the F-35C, operated by both the Navy and the Marine Corps. CBO's key findings are as follows: [1] 'Growing Fleets.' DoD currently operates about 450 F-35 aircraft and plans to operate about 2,500 of them by the mid-2040s. [...] [2] 'Aircraft Availability.' The availability of F-35As and F-35Cs declined from 2015 to 2018 but increased in 2019 and 2020. (Availability is measured as the percentage of time an aircraft can be flown in training or on missions.) The availability of F-35Bs has been generally increasing since the aircraft began operating in 2012. [...] [3] 'Depot-Level Maintenance.' Many of the oldest F-35s have spent long periods--totaling a year or more--undergoing depot-level maintenance[.] [...] [4] 'Annual Flying Hours.' Total annual flying hours for each fleet of F-35s have generally increased along with fleet sizes. [...] [5] 'Lifetime Flying Hours.' All three fleets of F-35s are a mix of new aircraft with few flying hours and aircraft with more than 1,000 lifetime flying hours. [6] 'The Effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic.' Although other types of DoD's aircraft experienced increased availability and decreased flying hours during the initial months of the pandemic, there has been no consistent change in either measure for the F-35 fleets since the pandemic began."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  Keating, Edward G. (Edward Geoffrey), 1965-; Trunkey, R. Derek, 1966-; McGinnis, Kathryn

  2022-04
• United States Central Command [Updated March 30, 2022]

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  From the Document: "United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has command authority over U.S. forces in the Middle East and West/Central Asia. CENTCOM was formally established by the Department of Defense (DOD) on January 1, 1983. Its area of responsibility (AOR) comprises Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, West Bank & Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Yemen, Israel, Iran, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. CENTCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) in Tampa, FL. [...] The Trump and Biden Administrations both described the need to effectively contend--economically, diplomatically, and militarily--with China and Russia as the key national security challenge facing the United States. Accordingly, activities vis-a-vis China and Russia would potentially be prioritized over other strategic challenges that have been prominent in the CENTCOM AOR, including deterring Iranian aggression and countering violent extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. Some observers maintain that a shift in U.S. resources and focus away from the CENTCOM AOR and toward Europe and Asia is advisable for several reasons. These include the reprioritization of military resources that, according to some, might be better applied to challenges in Europe--especially in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine--or the Indo-Pacific; skepticism about whether continued investments, presence, and operations in the region would result in strategic gains; and the growing threat posed by U.S. strategic competitors such as Russia and China."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McInnis, Kathleen J.; McGarry, Brendan W.

  2022-03-30
• Remarks by President Obama and President Calderón of Mexico at Joint Press Conference [March 3, 2011]

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  In their March 3, 2011 remarks, President Obama and Mexican President Calderón discuss and take questions on U.S.-Mexico economic relations; border security, including immigration, counternarcotics, and trucking issues; and the death of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Mexico. In addition, President Obama discusses current U.S. and international actions in Libya.

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Obama, Barack; Calderón, Felipe

  2011-03-03
• President Obama Outlines Latest in a Series of New Small Business Proposals [February 5, 2010]

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  From the Document: "Today [February 5, 2010] in Lanham, Maryland, President Obama proposed the expansion of two critical Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs, aimed at allowing small businesses to refinance and increasing limits for working capital. These are both legislative proposals designed to help small businesses through what continues to be a difficult period in credit markets." The president proposed the following initiatives: to expand SBA's existing program to temporarily support refinancing for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans; and to temporarily increase the cap on SBA Express loans from $350,000 to $1 million.

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Obama, Barack

  2010-02-05
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated February 17, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Biden Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy, and for the status of Congress as a co-equal branch relative to the executive branch in setting and overseeing the implementation of U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2021-02-17
• COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment--Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [January 25, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. In reports issued in March and April 2021, the U.S. intelligence community provided assessments of the potential impact of the pandemic on the international security environment. Observers who argue the pandemic could be world-changing for the international security environment have focused on several areas of potential change, including the following, which are listed here separately but overlap in some cases and can interact with one another[.]"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.

  2022-01-25