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Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated October 2, 2018]
From the Document: "Congress has maintained significant interest in Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. In recent decades, U.S.-Mexican relations have grown closer through cooperative management of the 2,000-mile border, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and security and rule of law cooperation under the Mérida Initiative. Relations have been tested, however, by President Donald J. Trump's shifts in U.S. immigration and trade policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2019-10-02
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FY2019 Defense Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-245) [April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "This report provides both an overview of the FY2019 defense appropriations act (P.L. 115-245) and access to other CRS [Congressional Research Service] products providing additional detail and analysis on particular issues and programs dealt with by that law. The Overview section of the report immediately following this Introduction covers the legislative history of the bill and the strategic and budgetary context within which is was debated. Subsequent sections of the report detail the bill's treatment of specific issues including procurement of various types of weapons. Each section dealing with procurement of a certain type of weapon includes a table presenting basic budget information and links to any relevant CRS product."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Towell, Pat
2019-04-12
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The Made in China 2025 Initiative: Economic Implications for the United States [Updated April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "China's incomplete transition to a free market economy stands out as one of the biggest sources of trade friction with the United States. Recent proposals by the Chinese government, such as its 'Made in China 2025' (MIC 2025) initiative, appear to signal an expanded role by the government in the economy, which many fear could distort global markets and negatively affect U.S. firms. The Trump Administration has made MIC 2025 a major focus of its Section 301 actions (including increased tariffs) against China over its alleged distortive policies related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2019-04-12
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Global Economy: Is Slower Growth Ahead? [Updated April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "The U.S. economy, which outperformed other developed economies in 2018 with an estimated 2.9% rate of growth, is projected by the OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] and the IMF [International Monetary Fund] to experience a slower growth in 2019 and 2020. Similarly, the Federal Reserve forecasted in March 20, 2019, the U.S. economy would grow by 2.1% in 2019, down from a previous forecast of 2.3%. Some economic indicators suggest the U.S. economy remains comparatively strong, but a deterioration in the economies of major trading partners could negatively affect the U.S. economy and alter these forecasts. Broad financial and economic linkages tie the U.S. and global economies, which means the United States affects and is affected by events in the global economy. These effects are reflected in capital flows, the international exchange value of the dollar, interest rates, and U.S. trade balances."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K.; Schwarzenberg, Andres B.
2019-04-12
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'Extraordinary Measures' and the Debt Limit [Updated April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "Following a period of suspension, the statutory debt limit was reinstated on March 2, 2019, at $21.988 trillion, precisely accommodating the federal borrowing undertaken up to that date. Following the debt limit's reinstatement Treasury Secretary Mnuchin began implementing 'extraordinary measures' to delay a binding debt limit. Secretary Mnuchin had informed Congress of his intention to implement these measures in a February 21, 2019, letter to Congress. Extraordinary measures were last implemented from March 2017 through September 2017 and from December 2017 through February 2018, until passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018; P.L. 115-123, February 9, 2018) suspended the statutory debt limit through March 1, 2019. This Insight briefly examines the use of extraordinary measures and its subsequent effects on federal debt activity."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Driessen, Grant A.; Hughes, Joseph S.
2019-04-12
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Can the President Close the Border? Relevant Laws and Considerations [April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "This Legal Sidebar identifies the statutes and legal issues most relevant to the President's statements about closing the border. The analysis is necessarily general. The Trump Administration has not released a plan with details about specific measures or underlying justifications. An executive decision to close some ports of entry to certain categories of non-U.S. citizens would require a different legal analysis than would a decision to completely seal the ports on the southern border to all goods and persons seeking to enter the United States, including U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs). Moreover, the relationship between any border closure measures and the justification that the Executive articulates for them would bear on the legal analysis. In the absence of a concrete proposal, the discussion here mainly sets out the primary relevant authorities and the considerations that they trigger."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Harrington, Ben
2019-04-12
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Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa: Humanitarian and Recovery Response in Brief [Updated April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "Cyclone Idai--a large and powerful tropical storm--came ashore on March 14, 2019, at Beira, a low-lying port city in central Mozambique, causing widespread devastation in southeastern Africa. The system dumped torrents of rain over large parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, causing extensive flooding, mudslides, and at least one dam collapse. It also featured strong, sustained, and destructive winds, and caused widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and crops. Cyclone Idai's impact was extensive, covering at least 1,200 square miles; it is among the worst recorded natural disasters to hit the region (see Figure 1). The storm displaced large numbers of people, many of whom are now in need of humanitarian assistance, as well as significant resources for recovery and reconstruction. Post-storm aid responses have been expanding. They have shifted from an initial focus on search and rescue to the provision of emergency food aid, shelter, and health care; efforts to enable access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and other humanitarian interventions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Cook, Nicolas
2019-04-12
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'Nielsen V. Preap': High Court Clarifies Application of Immigration Detention Statute to Criminal Aliens [April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "Recently, the Supreme Court in 'Nielsen v. Preap' interpreted provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as mandating the detention pending removal proceedings of non-U.S. nationals (aliens) who have committed certain specified crimes, even if those aliens are not detained by immigration authorities immediately upon release from criminal incarceration. The Court reversed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit), which had construed the INA provisions as affording such aliens the opportunity to seek release on bond if they were not promptly detained by immigration authorities after release from criminal custody. The Supreme Court determined that the INA's plain text and structure demonstrated that Congress intended that aliens who have committed certain crimes not be released on bond, no matter how much time has passed between their release from criminal custody and subsequent immigration arrest. The Court's reading of the mandatory detention statute reinforces the government's broad authority to detain aliens pending their removal proceedings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2019-04-12
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Title IX and Sexual Harassment: Private Rights of Action, Administrative Enforcement, and Proposed Regulations [April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) provides an avenue of legal relief for victims of sexual abuse and harassment at educational institutions. It bars discrimination 'on the basis of sex' in an educational program or activity receiving federal funding. Although Title IX makes no explicit reference to sexual harassment or abuse, the Supreme Court and federal agencies have determined that such conduct can sometimes constitute discrimination in violation of the statute; educational institutions in some circumstances can be held responsible when a teacher sexually harasses a student or when one student harasses another. Title IX is mainly enforced (1) through private rights of action brought directly against schools by or on behalf of students subjected to sexual misconduct; and (2) by federal agencies that provide funding to educational programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cole, Jared P.; Back, Christine J.
2019-04-12
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions [Updated April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. It is intended to serve as a quick reference to provide easy access to information and data. Appendix B presents a series of tables with state-level data. This report does not provide information on TANF program rules (for a discussion of TANF rules, see CRS Report RL32748, The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant: A Primer on TANF Financing and Federal Requirements, by Gene Falk)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Falk, Gene
2019-04-12
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South Africa: Current Issues, Economy, and U.S. Relations [April 12, 2019]
From the Document: "South Africa is a majority black, multiracial country of nearly 58 million people. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected by the parliament in February 2018 after his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, resigned. Zuma did so under the threat of a parliamentary no confidence vote after defying a decision by leaders of his African National Congress (ANC) removing him as its national presidential nominee. The ANC, the majority party in parliament, replaced Zuma with then-Vice President Ramaphosa, whom the ANC elected as its leader in late 2017. Zuma had faced intense pressure to step down after years of weak economic growth and multiple corruption scandals under his tenure. Ramaphosa is leading a reform agenda to address these challenges. He is serving out the rest of Zuma's term, which ends in May 2019, and is eligible to run for two additional five-year terms of his own. Local and international expectations of him are high, but he faces diverse fiscal, structural, and political challenges."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cook, Nicolas
2019-04-12
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Cooperative Security in the Middle East: History and Prospects [Updated April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Since mid-2017, Trump Administration officials have stated their intention to create a security pact of certain Arab states to counter regional threats, including Iran and terrorism. This arrangement, dubbed the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), reportedly would not include formal mutual security guarantees, but nevertheless has sometimes colloquially been referred to as an 'Arab NATO.' As Administration officials continue to consult with regional partners on the formation of MESA, many obstacles appear to exist, including ongoing disputes among its prospective members and differences in their respective interests, capabilities, and threat perceptions. Forging greater security cooperation among U.S. partners in the Middle East has long been a stated U.S. objective. MESA is the latest in a decades-long series of proposed regional security arrangements that have, to varying degrees, involved or been overseen by the United States. U.S. involvement in the creation of MESA or other similar potential initiatives could necessitate congressional input on or approval of specific aspects of multilateral regional security arrangements and raise broader questions about U.S. ties with allies in the Middle East and globally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton
2019-04-11
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China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean [Updated April 11, 2019]
"As the People's Republic of China (PRC) has increased its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean over nearly 20 years, U.S. policymakers have raised questions regarding potential implications for U.S. interests in the region. China's engagement with the region has grown significantly since 2001, particularly in terms of diplomatic and economic ties. This growth reflects China's increasing global 'soft power' efforts worldwide. A succession of Chinese leaders and other officials have visited the region to court governments. In turn, regional leaders and officials have been frequent visitors to China. The PRC has signed a variety of bilateral partnership agreements with several countries in the region, including 'strategic partnerships' with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2019-04-11
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Brexit and Outlook for U.S.-UK Trade Agreement [Updated April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "The trade aspects of 'Brexit,' the expected withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), are of congressional interest. Uncertainty over Brexit presents commercial challenges for the nearly 43,000 U.S. companies exporting to the UK and for U.S. firms operating in the UK, including some 4,000 majority-owned subsidiaries (2016 data). The EU has agreed to extend the UK's departure date to October 31, 2019, with an earlier departure possible upon approval of the UK-EU withdrawal agreement. Details about the future UK-EU trade relationship remain largely unknown, with uncertainty over if, when, and to what extent the UK will regain control of its national trade policy. These factors directly shape prospects for a proposed bilateral U.S.-UK free trade agreement (FTA), supported by the Trump Administration and some Members of Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias
2019-04-11
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Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "The State of Qatar has employed its ample financial resources to exert regional influence separate from and independent of Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman), an alliance of six Gulf monarchies. Qatar has intervened in several regional conflicts, including in Syria and Libya, and has engaged both Sunni Islamist and Iran-backed Shiite groups in Lebanon, Sudan, the Gaza Strip, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Qatar has maintained consistent dialogue with Iran while also supporting U.S. and GCC efforts to limit Iran's regional influence."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2019-04-11
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Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV): Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "On January 6, 2011, after spending approximately $3 billion in developmental funding, the Marine Corps cancelled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program due to poor reliability demonstrated during operational testing and excessive cost growth. Because the EFV was intended to replace the 40-year-old Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), the Pentagon pledged to move quickly to develop a 'more affordable and sustainable' vehicle to replace the EFV. The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is intended to replace the AAV, incorporating some EFV capabilities but in a more practical and cost-efficient manner. [...] Potential issues for Congress include the potential ramifications of the consolidation of the ACV 1.1 and ACV 1.2 programs and how the possible adoption of the Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO) operational concept could affect the ACV program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2019-04-11
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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Reinsurance, and Catastrophe Bonds [Updated April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Insurance generally serves to transfer risk from one entity who does not want to bear that risk to another entity that does. An initial insurance purchase, such as homeowners buying a policy to cover damage to their home, however, is often only the first transfer of that risk. The initial (or 'primary') insurer may then transfer (or 'cede') some or all of this risk to another company or investor, such as a 'reinsurer.' Reinsurers may also further transfer (or 'retrocede') risks to other reinsurers. Such risk transfers are, on the whole, a net cost for primary insurers, just as purchasing insurance is a net cost for homeowners. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-89) revised the authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to secure reinsurance from 'private reinsurance and capital markets.' Risk transfer to the private market could reduce the likelihood of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) borrowing from the Treasury to pay claims. In addition, it could allow the NFIP to recognize some of its flood risk up front through premiums it pays for risk transfers rather than after-the-fact borrowing, and could help the NFIP to reduce the volatility of its losses over time. However, because reinsurers charge premiums to compensate for the assumed risk as well as the reinsurers' costs and profit margins, the primary benefit of reinsurance is to manage risk, not to reduce the NFIP's longterm fiscal exposure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Webel, Baird
2019-04-11
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Turkstream: Another Russian Gas Pipeline to Europe [April 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Russia's state-owned natural gas company Gazprom has long sought to protect its share of Europe's natural gas market. Along with the controversial Nord Stream 2 project (see CRS In Focus IF11138, 'Nord Stream 2: A Fait Accompli?'), Gazprom's TurkStream project could strengthen Russia's foothold in the European energy market, especially southern Europe. It also could cement Turkey's status as a lead recipient of Russian gas, at a time of relatively strong Turkish-Russian relations. Opponents of the TurkStream project, including the Trump Administration and some Members of Congress, have expressed concern that the project could also help erode Ukraine's transit role for natural gas. In 2018, Gazprom supplied more than 40% of the EU's natural gas imports and about 50% of Turkey's. Many analysts maintain that Moscow could use its energy exports as leverage in countries that are dependent upon Russian natural gas. The United States, in turn, has long supported projects to diversify natural gas supplies to Europe and undercut Russia's market dominance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garding, Sarah E.; Ratner, Michael; Taylor, Beryl E. . . .
2019-04-11
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U.S.-China Relations [Updated April 11, 2019]
United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) Are This Year Marking the 40th Anniversary of Their Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. Both Are Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council. Today, They Lead the World in the Size of Their Economies, Their Defense Budgets, and Their Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In 2018, They Were Each Other's Largest Trading Partners.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawrence, Susan V.; Morrison, Wayne M.; Langan-Marmur, Jonah
2019-04-11
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FY2020 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January, but no later than the first Monday in February (31 U.S.C. §1105(a)). This year the President released the budget submission, in two installments, on March 11, and March 18, 2019. This report provides brief descriptions of the FY2020 budget volumes and related documents, together with internet addresses, Government Publishing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nagel, Jared Conrad; Greene, Michael
2019-04-10
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The Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly as a result of the recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2017 (latest data available) an estimated 232 million international migrants formed roughly 3% of the world's population. [...] In response to increasing numbers of people on the move, the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Plenary Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 adopted the 'New York Declaration,' which aims to save lives, protect rights, and share responsibility for refugees and migrants on a global scale. Building on this initiative, U.N. member states developed two global compacts--a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and a Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In December 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the GCM negotiations. (In November 2018, it also withdrew U.S. participation in the GCR.) Refugees are distinct from migrants because of their specific status and protections under international law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda
2019-04-10
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IRS Reform and the Taxpayer First Act of 2019 [April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has two main statutory responsibilities: to collect most of the revenue needed to fund the federal government and to enforce federal tax laws and regulations. In FY2017, the agency processed 245.4 million tax returns and other documents, collected $3.4 trillion in gross revenue, and had a budget of $11.2 billion. [...] This product focuses on areas of TFA19 that have been historically the focus of congressional oversight. At the end of this product is a list of additional resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Marples, Donald
2019-04-10
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Access to Broadband Networks: Net Neutrality [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "The move to place restrictions on the owners of the networks that comprise and provide access to the internet, to ensure equal access and nondiscriminatory treatment, is referred to as 'net neutrality.' While there is no single accepted definition of net neutrality most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that comprise and provide access to the internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network; and should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network. Determining the appropriate framework to ensure an open internet is central to the debate over broadband access, and is an issue that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been grappling with for decades. Some policymakers contend that more proscriptive regulations, such as those contained in the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order (2015 Order), are necessary to protect the marketplace from potential abuses which could threaten the net neutrality concept."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gilroy, Angele A.
2019-04-10
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Department of State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "The annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation (SFOPS) funds many of the nondefense international affairs activities of the government. It is one of 12 appropriations bills that Congress considers annually to fund the discretionary activities of the government. Congress structures SFOPS into several titles, which consist of broad spending categories. These titles are subdivided into paragraphs that each address one component account, a funding line item that includes one or several activities of the government. A single component account may cover one agency's entire annual budget, grant funds to an independent organization, or fund multiple activities associated with statutory authorities, among other things."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory Richard; Brown, Nick M.
2019-04-10
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Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN-78) class aircraft carrier program. It also discusses the Navy's proposal, as part of its FY2020 budget submission, to not fund the mid-life nuclear refueling overhaul (called a Refueling Complex Overhaul, or RCOH) for the aircraft carrier CVN-75 ('Harry S. Truman'), and to instead retire the ship around FY2024 and also deactivate one of the Navy's carrier air wings at about the same time. The Navy's proposed FY2019 budget requests a total of $2,347 million (i.e., about $2.3 billion) in procurement funding for the CVN-78 program. Congress's decisions on the CVN-78 program could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2019-04-10
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Somalia [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "Somalia has been plagued by instability and humanitarian crisis for decades. Since the collapse of the authoritarian Siad Barre regime in 1991, there have been numerous attempts to reunite Somalia's regions, clans, and sub-clans under a credible central authority capable of exerting territorial control and providing services and security for the Somali people. The formation of a federal government in 2012 was a turning point, but Somalia still faces considerable challenges on the path to stability. Over the past decade, international donors have expanded their engagement and increased their focus on development aid, seeking to build resilience to drought; bolster economic growth, access to government services, and political reconciliation; expand critical infrastructure; and improve governance and the rule of law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2019-04-10
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U.S.-Vietnam Economic and Trade Relations: Issues in 2019 [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "Over the past decade, U.S.-Vietnam economic relations have expanded rapidly. According to Vietnam's trade statistics, the United States was the nation's 3rd largest trading partner in 2018; according to U.S. trade statistics, Vietnam was the 17th largest trading partner. Bilateral economic issues likely to arise in 2019 include the impact of Vietnam's membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); market economy status for Vietnam; trade in catfish; U.S. arms sales to Vietnam; and a possible bilateral investment treaty. Following his withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), President Trump initially indicated some interest in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with Vietnam, but appears to have dropped the idea."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2019-04-10
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Water Infrastructure Financing: History of EPA Appropriations [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "The Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes the principal federal program to aid municipal wastewater treatment plant construction and related eligible activities. Congress established this program in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500) (although prior versions of the act had authorized less ambitious grants assistance since 1956). Title II of P.L. 92-500 authorized grants to states for wastewater treatment plant construction under a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal funds were provided through annual appropriations under a state-by-state allocation formula contained in the act itself. [...] The first section of this report includes a table that summarizes the history of appropriations for both wastewater and drinking water infrastructure programs. The next section discusses several historical developments in water infrastructure funding. The last section contains a detailed chronology of congressional activity regarding wastewater and drinking water infrastructure funding for each fiscal year since the 1987 CWA amendments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-04-10
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Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated April 9, 2019]
From the Document: "The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is considered a key U.S. partner in the Middle East. Although the United States and Jordan have never been linked by a formal treaty, they have cooperated on a number of regional and international issues over the years. Jordan's strategic importance to the United States is evident given ongoing instability in neighboring Syria and Iraq, Jordan's 1994 peace treaty with Israel, and uncertainty over the trajectory of Palestinian politics. Jordan also is a longtime U.S. partner in global counterterrorism operations. U.S.-Jordanian military, intelligence, and diplomatic cooperation seeks to empower political moderates, reduce sectarian conflict, and eliminate terrorist threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2019-04-09
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Iran's Revolutionary Guard Named a Terrorist Organization [April 9, 2019]
From the Document: "On April 8, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to name Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Administration officials attributed the designation to the IRGC's being an 'active and enthusiastic participant in acts of terror,' including the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut and the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers complex in Saudi Arabia. The designation, which is subject to congressional review, represents the first time the United States has designated an official military organization of a foreign state as an FTO. The designation is unlikely to apply additional financial pressure on the IRGC because it is already designated for sanctions under several Executive Orders that, in general, carry penalties similar to FTO-related penalties and have already deterred most foreign companies from conducting transactions with the IRGC. The designation stems from the Administration's assertions that Iran is responsible for a wide range of 'malign activities' in the Near East region, but has increased concerns among some U.S. officials that Iran or its proxies might try to attack U.S. forces in the region in retaliation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2019-04-09
