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Federal Disaster Policies after Terrorists Strike: Issues and Options for Congress [June 24, 2002]
How will the federal government respond to the short- and long-term needs of terror-stricken communities? As a result of the terrorist attacks of 2001, a plethora of legislation has been enacted and continues to be considered by the 107th Congress to address homeland security and emergency management issues. Much of the debate in and out of Congress focuses on legislation that addresses policies and practices intended to prevent future attacks. Congress is also considering other policy issues, including those that would be implicated should another attack occur, despite the best prevention and deterrence efforts. This report, prepared at congressional request, is intended to assist Congress as it considers options for consequence management legislation. The report collects and examines information on federal policies that would be implemented in the event that other terrorist attacks occur. It then asks about each of these policies: Based on experiences gained thus far, should Congress consider changes in federal consequence management policies to address the effects of possible future attacks? For the most part, this report concentrates on the impact of the airliner attacks in New York City because the consequences of those attacks in a major urban center raise complex issues of response and recovery that were not as evident in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia after the other airline crashes and the anthrax mailings.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2002-06-24
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Illicit Drug Trafficking and U.S. Counterdrug Programs [May 12, 2011]
"Drug trafficking is viewed as a primary threat to citizen security and U.S. interests in Latin America and the Caribbean despite decades of anti-drug efforts by the United States and partner governments. The production and trafficking of popular illicit drugs - cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and methamphetamine - generate a multi-billion dollar black market in which Latin American criminal and terrorist organizations thrive. These groups challenge state authority in source and transit countries where governments are often fragile and easily corrupted. Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) largely control the U.S. illicit drug market and have been identified by the U.S. Department of Justice as the 'greatest organized crime threat to the United States.' Drug trafficking-related crime and violence in the region has escalated in recent years, raising the drug issue to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy concerns. [...] Congress has influenced U.S. drug control policy in Latin America by appropriating certain types and levels of funding for counterdrug assistance programs and conditioning the provision of antidrug funding on the basis of human rights and other reporting requirements. Congress has also sought to ensure that counterdrug programs are implemented in tandem with judicial reform, anti-corruption, and human rights programs. The 112th Congress has held hearings evaluating drug assistance programs and related domestic initiatives and border security efforts. This report provides an overview of the drug flows in the Americas and U.S. antidrug assistance programs in the region. It also raises some policy issues for Congress to consider as it exercises oversight of U.S. antidrug programs and policies in the Western Hemisphere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wyler, Liana Sun; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Beittel, June S.
2011-05-12
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Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance [June 7, 2011]
"The 112th Congress is focused on cost cutting measures to reduce the budget deficit. How it deals with the second ranking U.S. aid recipient, Pakistan--which is important to U.S. national security interests but that some say lacks accountability--will be key. Pakistan has been among the leading recipients of U.S. foreign assistance both historically and in FY2010, and most experts list the country among the most strategically important for U.S. policy makers. Recent major developments--including the killing of Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in Pakistan--have put strains on bilateral relations, making uncertain the future direction of U.S. aid to Pakistan. For many lawmakers, the issue will be how to balance considerations about Pakistan's strategic importance to the United States with the pervasive and mounting distrust in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and with budget deficit-reduction pressures. U.S. assistance to Pakistan has fluctuated considerably over the past 60 years. In the wake of 9/11, however, aid to Pakistan has continually risen as the Bush and Obama Administrations have characterized Pakistan as a U.S. partner in the Afghanistan war, in the fight against terrorism, and in efforts to stabilize the region. Since 1948, the United States has pledged more than $30 billion in direct aid; about half for military assistance. Two-thirds of this total was appropriated in the post-9/11 era from FY2002 to FY2010. Some question the gains from the aid, saying there is a lack of accountability and reform by the Pakistani government, and any goodwill generated by it is offset by widespread anti-American sentiment among the Pakistani people."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Kronstadt, K. Alan
2011-06-07
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Nigeria: Elections and Issues for Congress [May 17, 2011]
"Nigeria, Africa's largest producer of oil and its largest democracy, is one of the U.S. government's key strategic partners on the continent. It is Africa's most populous country, with over 150 million people, roughly half Muslim and half Christian, and its second-largest economy. Diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which is regularly the fourth- or fifth-largest oil exporter to the United States, are strong, and the country is a major recipient of U.S. foreign assistance. After 16 years of military rule, Nigeria made the transition to civilian governance in 1999, and the country emerged as a powerful actor in African politics. The government has mediated disputes in several African countries, and the country ranks fourth among troop contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions. [...] The Obama Administration has been supportive of Nigeria's recent reform initiatives, including anti-corruption efforts, economic and electoral reforms, energy sector privatization, and programs to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta. In 2010, the Administration established a U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, a strategic dialogue to address these and other issues of mutual concern. Congress regularly monitors political developments in Nigeria and has expressed concerns with corruption and human rights abuses. Congress also provides oversight for over $600 million in U.S. foreign assistance programs in the country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2011-05-17
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Interagency Collaborative Arrangements and Activities: Types, Rationales, Considerations [May 31, 2011]
"Interagency coordinative arrangements and activities - called for in public laws, executive orders, and administrative directives - appear to be growing in number, prominence, and proposals throughout virtually all individual policy areas and across-the-board. Underlying this growth are several developments: the increase in governmental responsibilities, cross-cutting programs, and their complexity; the inadequate preparation for and response to severe crises (in particular, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes); and heightened pressure to reduce or consolidate federal programs and expenditures. This report examines formal interagency collaborative arrangements and activities, which are intended to enhance joint efforts and cooperation among independent federal agencies with shared responsibilities and overlapping jurisdictions. The study examines the following: 1) various types and understandings of collaborative activities and arrangements, as well as related concepts of interagency coordination, integration, mergers and reorganizations, networking, and partnerships; 2) background of relevant efforts; 3) rationales for interagency collaboration and the problems these are designed to address; 4) concerns and questions about the rationales; 5) difficulties in assessing interagency collaboration success or failure; and 6) factors affecting the adoption, evolution, and impact of collaborative activities and arrangements. This Congressional Research Service (CRS) study builds on and supplements an extensive collection of materials, covering various aspects of interagency collaboration, current and past, which are cited in the bibliography at the end of the report. That compilation identifies analyses of different subject and policy areas as well as different types of arrangements used among agencies. The relevant studies - both current and historical - come from congressional committees, CRS, executive branch entities, Government Accountability Office (GAO), governmental commissions, professional associations, and scholars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kaiser, Frederick M.
2011-05-31
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Securing Nuclear Materials: The 2010 Summit and Issues for Congress [May 27, 2011]
"In an April 2009 speech in Prague, President Obama pledged that his Administration would launch 'a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years.' To motivate world leaders to achieve this goal, the President hosted a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, on April 12-13, 2010. Leaders of 47 countries attended the summit, including many heads of state. Attendees represent a wide geographic range of states and nuclear capabilities, and include China, India, Israel, and Pakistan. The summit resulted in a joint statement saying that international cooperative action is necessary to prevent an act of nuclear terrorism. Summit attendees also pledged to improve nuclear security standards, bring international agreements into force, and share best practices. Nuclear security measures refer to a wide range of actions to prevent theft or diversion of nuclear material or sabotage at an installation or in transit. [...] Congress will continue to decide on funding for the U.S. domestic and international programs focused on nuclear material security and nuclear terrorism prevention. Congress is also likely to assess implementation of the Administration's goal to secure nuclear materials by the end of 2013. The Obama Administration's FY2011 and FY2012 congressional budget request proposed overall increases in funding for nuclear security-related accounts, with the stated purpose of ramping up programs to meet the President's four-year goal."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2011-05-27
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FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer [May 18, 2011]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act - 42 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue 'major disaster' or 'emergency' declarations before or after catastrophes occur. Emergency declarations trigger aid that protects property, public health, and safety and lessens or averts the threat of an incident becoming a catastrophic event. A major disaster declaration, issued after catastrophes occur, constitutes broader authority for federal agencies to provide supplemental assistance to help state and local governments, families and individuals, and certain nonprofit organizations recover from the incident. The end result of a presidential disaster declaration is well known, if not entirely understood. Various forms of assistance are provided, including aid to families and individuals for uninsured needs and assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profits in rebuilding or replacing damaged infrastructure. The amount of assistance provided through presidential disaster declarations has exceeded $140 billion. Often, in recent years, Congress has enacted supplemental appropriations legislation to cover unanticipated costs. While the amounts spent by the federal government on different programs may be reported, and the progress of the recovery can be observed, much less is known about the process that initiates all of this activity. Yet, it is a process that has resulted in an average of more than one disaster declaration a week over the last decade."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2011-05-18
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Japan's 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami: Food and Agriculture Implications [May 18, 2011]
"The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused widespread devastation that affected many of the country's agricultural and fishery areas. The nuclear crisis that followed at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, and the subsequent detection of radioactive contamination of food produced near the disabled facility, further raised fears about the safety of Japan's food production systems and its future food exports. [...] In the United States, the two principal agencies that regulate U.S. food imports - the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - have taken steps to address these concerns. Following Japan's announcement that some foods had been contaminated by radiation, FDA issued 'Import Alert 99-33' for milk, vegetables, and certain fish species (sand lance) produced or manufactured in selected Japanese prefectures. Both FDA and USDA have announced that they are taking extra steps to better track U.S. food imports from Japan, working in conjunction with existing border inspectors at the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Other U.S. agencies are also addressing concerns about whether radiation from Japan might affect food production in the United States or in U.S. territories in the Pacific. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuously monitoring the nation's air and is regularly monitoring drinking water, milk, and precipitation for environmental radiation. To date, the results of EPA's sampling and monitoring have shown detected radiation below levels that are a public-health concern."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Renée
2011-05-18
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Text and Multimedia Messaging: Emerging Issues for Congress [May 18, 2011]
"For Congressional policymakers, two major categories of issues have arisen: (1) 'same problem, different platform' and (2) issues stemming from the difficulty in applying existing technical definitions to a new service, such as whether a text message is sent 'phone-to-phone' or using the phone's associated email address. There are numerous examples of each. An example of the first category would be consumer fraud and children's accessing inappropriate content, which have existed previously in the 'wired world,' but have now found their way to the 'wireless world.' An example of the second category would be that spam sent between two phones or from one phone to many phones does not fall under the definition of spam in the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, P.L. 108-187); however, if that same message were to be sent from a phone or computer using the phone's associated e-mail address, it would. The increasing use of text and multimedia messaging has raised several policy issues: distracted driving, SMS spam, the inability of consumers to disable text messaging, text messaging price fixing, carrier blocking of common short code messages, deceptive and misleading common short code programs, protecting children from inappropriate content on wireless devices, 'sexting,' mobile cyberbullying, privacy of text messages, and using SMS to support law enforcement and emergency response."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stevens, Gina Marie; Figliola, Patricia Moloney
2011-05-18
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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Highlighted Actions and Issues [May 13, 2011]
"This report highlights actions taken and issues raised as a result of the April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig, and the resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Readers can access more extensive discussions in various CRS reports, identified at the end of this report. Members in the 112th Congress continue to express concerns regarding various oil spill-related policy matters. At least three committees in both the House and the Senate have held hearings on issues associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Members have introduced multiple proposals that would address various issues, including: 1) the regulatory regime for outer continental shelf (OCS) oil exploration and development activities; 2) the liability and compensation framework created by the 1990 Oil Pollution Act; 3) technological challenges involved with deepwater activities; 4) response activities (e.g., the use of chemical dispersants) and decision-making. However, some argue that, in response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, the Administration has adopted less than optimal policies toward offshore oil exploration and development. Expressing this viewpoint, some Members have offered proposals that seek to spur offshore oil exploration and development. In recent days, the House passed three such bills: H.R. 1230 (May 5, 2011), H.R. 1229 (May 11, 2011), and H.R. 1231 (May 12, 2011). Future congressional activity may be influenced by several factors, including conditions in the
Gulf region, independent inquiries, judicial actions, and the availability of data for further study."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Hagerty, Curry L.
2011-05-13
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Building the Capacity of Partner States through Security Force Assistance [May 5, 2011]
"Historically, the U.S. military's Special Operations Forces (SOF) have had primary responsibility for training, advising, and assisting foreign military forces. Today, although this mission has not been completely relegated to conventional forces, the National Security Strategies of the current and previous administrations direct the U.S. military services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) to organize, train, and equip themselves to carry out these activities on a larger scale with conventional (non-SOF) forces. This responsibility in its broad sense of building the capacity of partner states has been termed 'security force assistance' (SFA). [...] Of significant interest to Congress in the near term is the ability of U.S. military forces to train their counterparts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Obama Administration position, endorsed for the most part by Congress, is that developing competent forces in these countries is pivotal to coalition mission success and to protecting U.S. national interests. SFA is part of the U.S. strategic goal of having Iraq and Afghanistan responsible for their own security. Congress has supported the Department of Defense's agenda for training Afghani forces; however, some Members are skeptical of the new Iraqi government's commitment to developing its own security forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Livingston, Thomas K.
2011-05-05
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Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance [June 1, 2011]
"The limited capacity and widespread corruption of all levels of Afghan governance are factors in debate over the effectiveness of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and in planning for the July 2011 beginning of a transition to Afghan security leadership. That transition is to be completed by the end of 2014, a timeframe agreed to by the United States, its international partners, and the Afghan government, although some believe that timetable might be accelerated in the aftermath of the May 1, 2011, U.S. killing of Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. Afghan governing capacity has increased significantly since the Taliban regime fell in late 2001, but many positions, particularly at the local level, are unfilled. Many governing functions are performed at least informally by unaccountable power brokers. Widespread illiteracy and ethnic and factional ties limit the development of a competent bureaucracy, although U.S. and other programs are attempting to address these deficiencies. On corruption, President Hamid Karzai has accepted U.S. help to build emerging anti-corruption institutions, but these same institutions have sometimes caused a Karzai backlash when they have targeted his allies or relatives. Effects of corruption burst into public view in August 2010 when the large Kabul Bank nearly collapsed due in part to losses on large loans to major shareholders, many of whom are close to Karzai. Some in Congress have sought to link further U.S. aid to clearer progress on the corruption issue, and the issue is expected to be an additional significant factor in debate about the pace of a U.S. troop drawdown from Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2011-06-01
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Sudan: The Crisis in Darfur and Status of the North-South Peace Agreement [June 15, 2011]
"Sudan, geographically the largest country in Africa, has been ravaged by civil war intermittently for four decades. More than 2 million people have died in Southern Sudan over the past two decades due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. In July 2002, the Sudan government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed a peace framework agreement in Kenya. On January 9, 2005, the government of Sudan and the SPLM signed the final peace agreement at a ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya. In April 2010, Sudan held national and regional elections. In January 2011, South Sudan held a referendum to decide on unity or independence. Abyei was also expected to hold a referendum in January 2011 to decide whether to retain the current special administrative status or to be part of South Sudan. The Abyei referendum did not take place. In the Southern referendum, 98.8% voted for independence and 1.17% for unity. In late May 2011, Sudan government forces dissolved the joint Abyei Administration and invaded the town, displacing more than 100,000 people in the Abyei area. […] In late October 2009, the Obama Administration announced a new Sudan policy. The policy focuses on three policy priorities: the crisis in Darfur, the implementation of the North-South peace agreement, and counter-terrorism. The new policy links the lifting of sanctions and incentives to verifiable progress on the ground. In mid-September, the Obama Administration announced new policy initiatives on Sudan. The new policy update focuses on the Administration's active and expanded diplomatic engagement and relaxation of sanctions and restrictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2011-06-15
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Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program [June 1, 2011]
"The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program makes federal funds available to metropolitan areas and states to assist in health care costs and support services for individuals and families affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The Ryan White program currently serves more than half a million low-income people with HIV/AIDS in the United States; 33% of those served are uninsured, and an additional 56% are underinsured. The program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). […] In October 2009, the 111th Congress passed and President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-87), which reauthorized the Ryan White program through September 30, 2013. P.L. 111-87 maintains the hold-harmless provision for Part A and Part B and provides a continuation of the transition period for states that do not have a fully mature name-based HIV reporting system. The law requires that the Secretary establish a national HIV/AIDS testing goal of 5 million tests annually through programs administered by HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It requires the Part A Planning Councils to develop a strategy for identifying individuals with HIV/AIDS who do not know their HIV status, making them aware of their status and connecting them with health care and support services. It also requires the Part B grant application to provide a comprehensive plan for the identification of such individuals and enable their access to medical treatment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-
2011-06-01
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U.S. Trade Deficit, the Dollar, and the Price of Oil [May 26, 2011]
"Rapid changes in the price of oil and the impact of such price changes on economies around the globe have attracted considerable attention. In mid-2008 as the price of oil rose to unprecedented heights and then dropped sharply, the international exchange value of the dollar fell and then rose relative to a broad basket of currencies. For some, these two events seem to indicate a cause and effect relationship between changes in the price of oil and changes in the value of the dollar.[…] Changes in oil prices also affect the U.S. trade deficit. That impact of oil prices on the trade deficit lessened in 2009 and 2010 as the price of oil plummeted and as a drop in economic activity reduced demand for oil imports. A more rapid pace of economic growth in many of the developing economies in 2011 exerted upward pressure on oil prices that will translate into a higher U.S. trade deficit in 2011. This report provides an assessment of the impact a range of prices of imported oil could have on the U.S. trade deficit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K.
2011-05-26
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Legislative History Research: A Basic Guide [June 15, 2011]
"This report provides an overview of federal legislative history research, the legislative process, and where to find congressional documents. The report also summarizes some of the reasons researchers are interested in legislative history, briefly describes the actions a piece of legislation might undergo during the legislative process, and provides a list of easily accessible print and electronic resources. This report will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taylor, Julia
2011-06-15
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State and Local Preparedness for Terrorism: Policy Issues and Options [Updated May 9, 2002]
"The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have prompted Members of the 107th Congress to consider enhancing state and local response capabilities to better prepare for terrorist attacks, particularly attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. At present, Congress authorizes several programs designed to help state and local responders enhance their preparedness for terrorist attacks. These programs cover a range of activities, including emergency planning; training and equipment; response to chemical and biological attacks; law enforcement; and public health. Since the September attacks, however, emergency managers and analysts have asked Congress to address several issues in federal policy on state and local preparedness." This report includes some of the frequently mentioned policy issues.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2002-05-09
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Suits Against Terrorist States [Updated May 14, 2002]
"In the 'Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000,' Congress directed the Secretary of the Treasury to pay portions of eleven judgments that have been (or will be) handed down in suits against terrorist states since 1996. [...] This report provides background on the FSIA [Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act]; details the evolution of the terrorist state exception and subsequent amendments regarding payment of the judgments; sets forth the policy and legal arguments that have been adduced; and lists the cases covered by § 2002, the payments that have been made, and the amount of terrorist state assets frozen by the U.S. The report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ackerman, David M.
2002-05-14
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Terrorism: The New Occupational Hazard [March 29, 2002]
"Most of the direct victims of terrorism in the United States in recent years have been people at work. Employers, who have a legal responsibility to provide workplaces that are as free of 'generally recognized hazards' as feasible, must consider their exposure to this emerging threat. This report describes how workplace safety programs are being reconsidered in this new light."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rappaport, Edward B.
2002-03-29
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Combating Terrorism: Are There Lessons to Be Learned from Foreign Experiences? [January 18, 2002]
"As the United States braces for possible repeated incidents of international terrorism in the United States, there may be lessons to be learned from the experiences of other countries which have suffered prolonged onslaughts of terrorism. Other countries have had differing results using approaches now employed or suggested for U.S. policy. While none of the four approaches discussed here appears to have worked in all cases, none can be excluded for that reason; each case is uniquely instructive. The utility of each approach, as well as of specific measures, can depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and organization of a terrorist group, public attitudes toward it, and the depth of support for it. This paper looks briefly at some cases where judgments have been made on the effectiveness of different policy measures, and raises questions relating those outcomes to the current situation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2002-01-18
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International Conflict and Property Rights: Fifth Amendment 'Takings' Issues [Updated December 5, 2001]
"The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon has raised the possibility of responses by the United States that impinge on private property, and, in turn, the possibility of claims under the Fifth Amendment Takings Clause. In the past, the existence of war or other national emergency has prompted courts to extend an extra degree of deference to responsive government measures when analyzing regulatory takings claims. Thus, when the United States has temporarily closed mines, imposed rent controls, frozen assets of hostile foreign nations subject to U.S. jurisdiction, suspended judicial process initiated by U.S. nationals against such assets, or settled claims of U.S. nationals against foreign sovereigns and their assets, courts universally have rejected takings suits. On the other hand, takings claims based on physical takings or appropriations on the homefront have succeeded - wartime notwithstanding. The property of enemy aliens receives no Takings Clause protection, at least in the context of traditional wars."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meltz, Robert
2001-12-05
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Terrorism Insurance - The 2002 Marketplace [Updated June 12, 2002]
"The terrorist attacks of September 11 resulted in the largest insured catastrophic loss in history, estimated to total as much as $70 billion. Even though the insurance industry committed to pay losses resulting from the attacks, industry spokesmen asserted that in view of the impending unavailability of terrorism reinsurance on January 1, 2002, primary insurers would not be able to cover future terrorism losses on renewals of commercial risk policies without a federal backstop. In the 107th Congress, first session, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3210 on November 29, 2001, providing for a temporary federal backstop. In the Senate, four similar measures were introduced (S. 1743, S. 1744, S. 1748, and S. 1751), but after weeks of negotiations no action was taken. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle indicated that backstop legislation would be considered again in 2002. [...] Meanwhile, there are indications that the insurance marketplace will have made strides toward resolving a major part of the terrorism coverage issue and federal legislation may be less likely to have its originally intended impact. [...] This report looks at the terrorism insurance marketplace in 2002 in the absence of federal legislation, the economic outlook for the insurance industry, and the regulatory responses of state insurance officials."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woodall, S. Roy, Jr.
2002-06-12
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Hazardous Materials Transportation: Vulnerability to Terrorists, Federal Activities, and Options to Reduce Risks [October 15, 2001]
"In the wrong hands, hazardous materials (hazmat) in transportation pose a major threat to national security, property, and life. There are over 800,000 shipments each day of these materials-over 90% of which occur via the highway mode. The sheer number and volume of shipments, the numerous routes used, and the logistics and infrastructure involved create many points of exposure. Although an array of measures can be taken to promote security, the vulnerabilities cannot be eliminated. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken numerous actions to increase the sensitivity of industry and the state enforcement community to the vulnerabilities associated with hazmat transportation. DOT is asking that additional safety precautions and inspections be conducted and that the hazmat industry should review its security measures and strengthen them as appropriate. Other options to reduce risk or to increase preparedness include: requiring additional background checks on drivers obtaining hazmat endorsements on their commercial drivers licenses; requiring DOT to issue regulations requiring high hazard hazmat carriers and shippers to develop and implement security plans and procedures; increasing funding for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program; and amending the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to clarify the role of the DOT in promoting the security of hazmat shipments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rothberg, Paul F.
2001-10-15
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Monitoring Inmate-Attorney Communications: Sixth Amendment Implications [November 27, 2001]
"Citing the need to ensure that individuals in federal custody are not able to facilitate acts of terrorism through conversations with an attorney, the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons instituted an interim rule on October 30, 2001, authorizing the monitoring of attorney-client communications when the Attorney General determines that reasonable suspicion exists to believe that such communications might facilitate acts of violence or terrorism. This report provides an overview of the provisions of the interim rule, as well as a brief synopsis of Sixth Amendment implications regarding intentional intrusion into the attorney-client relationship."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Halstead, T. J.
2001-11-27
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Iraq War: Background and Issues Overview [Updated April 22, 2003]
The Iraq war was launched on March 19, 2003, with a strike against a location where Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and top lieutenants were believed to be meeting. Although some resistance was encountered after U.S. troops entered Iraq, all major Iraqi population centers had been brought under U.S. control by April 14. Analysts and officials are concerned about the risk of instability and ethnic fragmentation in Iraq after the war. U.S. plans for post-war governance of Iraq are just starting to be implemented, and the role of the United Nations in administering, if any, Iraq is still under debate. Whether the overthrow of Iraq President Saddam Hussein will lead to democratization in Iraq and the wider Middle East, or promote instability and an intensification of anti-U.S. attitudes, is also an issue in debate. The Iraq war has created concerns over the humanitarian situation, particularly in Baghdad and other cities affected by the war. International legal issues remain, however, with respect to launching a pre-emptive war against Iraq and the prospective occupation. This CRS report summarizes the current situation and U.S. policy with respect to the confrontation with Iraq, and reviews a number of war-related issues.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-04-22
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Iraq War? Current Situation and Issues for Congress [Updated March 4, 2003]
During January 2003, the U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf continued, amid reports that U.S. forces would be ready to launch a war by mid-February or early March. President Bush, other top U.S. officials, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have indicated that Iraq has little time left to offer full cooperation with U.N. weapons inspectors. However, the inspectors themselves, with leaders of France, Germany, and other countries, are urging that the inspections process be allowed more time. The Administration asserts that Iraq is in defiance of 16 Security Council resolutions requiring that it fully declare and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Skeptics, including many foreign critics, maintain that the Administration is
exaggerating the Iraqi WMD threat. This CRS report summarizes the current situation and U.S. policy with respect to the confrontation with Iraq, and reviews a number of war-related issues. See the CRS site [http://www.congress.gov/erp/legissues/html/isfar12.html] for related
products, which are highlighted throughout this report. This report also provides links to other sources of information and updated approximately one each week.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.; Gallis, Paul E.
2003-01-29
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Afghanistan: Challenges and Options for Reconstructing a Stable and Moderate State [April 24, 2002]
The U.S.-led effort to end Afghanistan's role as host to Osama bin Laden and other anti-western Islamic terrorists requires not only the defeat of the Taliban but also the reconstruction of a stable, effective, and ideologically moderate Afghan state. The Bush Administration and the Congress have indicated strong support for humanitarian relief and reconstruction, but the precise nature of the U.S. role remains to be determined. U.S. forces reportedly have been deeply involved in checking conflict among competing local warlords, an informal peacekeeping role that puts American troops at risk of embroilment in local power struggles and also involved with Afghan forces that potentially are a threat to the Interim Administration. A stable Afghanistan is unlikely to be constructed without significant near-term aid to reestablish security and relieve immediate economic distress, and extensive and long-term reconstruction support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the United States, Japan, and the European countries.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cronin, Richard P.
2002-04-24
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Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [Updated January 28, 2003]
The United States and its allies are helping Afghanistan emerging from more than 22 years of warfare, although substantial risk to Afghan stability remains. Before the U.S. military campaign against the orthodox Islamist Taliban movement began on October 7, 2001, Afghanistan had been mired in conflict since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The defeat of the Taliban enabled the United States and its coalition partners to send forces throughout Afghanistan to search for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters and leaders that remain at large, including Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. As U.S.-led combat against remaining Al Qaeda and Taliban elements winds down, the United States is shifting its military focus toward stabilizing the interim government, including training a new Afghan national army, and supporting the international security force (ISAF) that is helping the new government provide security. To help foster development, the United Nations and the Bush Administration have lifted most sanctions imposed on Afghanistan since the Soviet occupation. The "loya jirga" delegates selected a new government to run Afghanistan for the next 18 months and approved Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun, to continue as leader for that time, but the assembly adjourned without establishing a new parliament.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2003-01-28
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Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress [January 10, 2003]
The federal government has historically supported the open publication of federally funded research results. In cases where such results presented a challenge to national security concerns, several mechanisms have been employed. The current federal policy, as described in National Security Decision Directive 189, is that fundamental research should remain unrestricted and that, in the rare case where it is necessary to restrict such information, classification is the appropriate vehicle to do so. Other mechanisms restrict information flow on the international level, where Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) control the export of items and technical information on specific lists.
There is a lack of consensus regarding what is the best method to balance scientific publishing and national security. Mandatory review by federal funding agencies, either at the funding stage or before publication, is seen as a potential federally based alternative.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shea, Dana A.
2003-01-10
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U.S. Postal Service Response to the Threat of Bioterrorism through the Mail [February 11, 2002]
"The deliberate mailing of 'Bacillus anthracis' spores through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has caused five deaths, twenty-two cases of anthrax, and massive disruptions to Congress and the USPS. Both the public and private sector are examining an array of methods to limit the risk of future attacks. Potential solutions include improving mail handling procedures, changing the USPS anonymous mailing policy, installing bio/chem agent detectors, and sterilizing the mail. For the USPS these decisions are complicated by its precarious financial state. Some proposed solutions may require an increase in postage rates and/or decreased levels of service. Each of these may further depress postal revenues and threaten the continued existence of the USPS as an independent, self-supporting entity. Policymakers will need to decide if the USPS must ensure the safety of mail recipients. At this point it is not clear if this is practical or even possible with existing technology. It may be that it is practical to protect only the mail addressed to the most likely targets of future attacks. Some of the measures that the USPS has taken or is planning to take to protect postal workers and mail recipients are common sense alterations to the mail processing procedures. Additionally, the USPS is making gloves, masks, and educational materials available to all postal workers. More controversial and potentially more costly are plans to sterilize the mail. To implement irradiation procedures nationwide could cost between three and five billion dollars with up to another billion dollars each year in operating costs. Policymakers will need to balance concerns for safety, cost, and practicality while to deciding how to alter the practices of the USPS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gottron, Frank
2002-02-11
