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• S. Hrg. 106-245: Iran: Limits to Rapprochement: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, July 22, 1999

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  S. HRG. 106-245: Testimony addresses what is taking place in Iran, what the U.S. policy toward Iran should be in light of these circumstances, what we have seen in recent history, and what we have seen of elections and failed promises from those elections in Iran. Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: Jerrold D. Green, L. Bruce Laingen, and Azar Nafisi.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  1999
• Cartels and the U.S. Heroin Epidemic: Combating Drug Violence and Public Health Crisis, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 26, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the May 26, 2016 hearing on "Cartels and the U.S. Heroin Epidemic: Combating Drug Violence and Public Health Crisis," before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crimes, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Daniel L. Foote: "Chairman Rubio, Senator Boxer, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee: thank you for the opportunity to appear before you to discuss U.S. government efforts to combat the production and trafficking of heroin and the violence and instability it brings to our communities, our citizens, and the world in which we live. The flow of illicit narcotics across our shared border with Mexico threatens citizen security in both countries. Recognizing that we have a shared responsibility to address common challenges, in 2007, the United States forged a comprehensive security partnership with Mexico. Through the Merida Initiative, we work in partnership with Mexico to build the capacity of Mexican institutions to counter organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect our shared border from the movement of illicit drugs, money, and goods. The need for effective collaboration is now more important than ever. Heroin and fentanyl-laced heroin is a public health crisis in the United States, and Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the primary suppliers of heroin to the United States. We must aggressively respond to this growing threat in concert with our broader work through the Merida Initiative to counter all illicit drugs and to end the impunity with which trafficking organizations are able to operate, putting their leaders in jail, seizing their weapons, drugs, and money, and dismantling their illicit businesses." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Daniel L. Foote, Kemp Chester, Teresa Jacobs, and Steven Dudley.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-05-26
• Public-Private Partnerships in Foreign Aid: Leveraging U.S. [United States] Assistance for Greater Impact and Sustainability, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development of the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, July 12, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the July 12, 2016 hearing, "Public-Private Partnerships in Foreign Aid: Leveraging U.S. [United States] Assistance for Greater Impact and Sustainability," before the Subcommittee on State Department and USAID [United States Agency for International Development] Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The witnesses from this hearing discuss their opinions on the role of the United States in providing assistance to underdeveloped countries. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Eric G. Postel, Daniel F. Runde, and Michael Goltzman.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-07-12
• Economic and Political Future of Ukraine, Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, October 8, 2015

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  This is a testimony compilation of the October 8, 2015 hearing on "Economic and Political Future of Ukraine" held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Victoria Nuland: "This week we celebrate 25 years since Germany's reunification -- the first major step on our journey toward a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Today that journey goes through Ukraine. Across Ukraine, citizens are standing up and sacrificing for the universal values that bind us as a transatlantic community: for sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights, dignity, clean and accountable government, and justice for all. America helps Ukraine because that country's success is central to our own profound national interest in an ever more democratic, prosperous, stable Europe. Ukraine's aspirations are ours." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Victoria Nuland, Paula J. Dobriansky, and Clifford G. Bond.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2015-10-08
• U.S. Policy in Libya, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 15, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the June 15, 2016 hearing "U.S. Policy in Libya" before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Jonathan Winer: "Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cardin, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss U.S. foreign policy on Libya. I have just returned from consultations with regional and European partners to discuss our mutual support for the transitional Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, whose challenges include ending civil conflict, promoting stability and addressing the ongoing terrorist threat. Our strategic interest in Libya is to support a unified, accountable government that meets the economic and security needs of the Libyan people. We also seek a government with whom we can partner on bilateral and regional objectives, including countering terrorism and illegal migration which threaten security and stability across North Africa and in Europe. To address this, we have maintained a policy of clear and ongoing support for both the GNA and implementation of the UN-facilitated Libyan Political Agreement which established it." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jonathan Winer.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-15
• Progress Report on Conflict Minerals, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 5, 2017

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  This is a testimony compilation of the April 5, 2017 hearing on "A Progress Report on Conflict Minerals" held before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Rick Goss: "Numerous governments and credible independent observers report recent positive trends on breaking the links between armed groups and mining for 3T [tin, tantalum and tungsten] minerals. These officials note a significant reduction in the presence of armed groups -- including Congolese armed forces -- at 3T mining sites, largely due to increased transparency, monitoring, and control measures. Importantly, the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] government has increased its involvement by imposing greater controls, taxes, legal enforcement, and oversight. According to the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development], non-traceable exports of 3T trade at a discount of almost 30% compared to traceable materials." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rick Goss, Mvemba Dizolele, and Arvind Ganesan.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-04-05
• Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, April 25, 2017

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  This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the April 25, 2017 hearing, "Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options," before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the ongoing crisis in Libya, including its economic, governmental, religious, and societal aspects. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Frederic M. Wehrey and Deborah K. Jones.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-04-25
• Assessment of U.S. Economic Assistance, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, July 7, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the July 7, 2016 hearing, 'Assessment of U.S. Economic Assistance,' before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Todd J. Moss: "I appreciate being invited to testify again and the opportunity to highlight ways the United States can more effectively support private sector growth and economic opportunity around the world. I proudly served in the State Department under Secretary Condoleezza Rice and continue to work closely on global economic policy issues at the nonpartisan Center for Global Development (CGD). I have three points today, drawing on my work at CGD with my colleague Ben Leo. First, development finance, rather than aid, is the future. Aid is the right tool for tackling health challenges and humanitarian crises. Aid has been much less effective at generating broad economic growth. However, when carefully targeted, aid can be useful in addressing specific barriers to business. The Millennium Challenge Corporation model, which uses five-year compacts to explicitly attack constraints to growth, is a great example. So too are the US Treasury's technical assistance programs and USAID's [United States Agency for International Development] laudable coordination of the Power Africa initiative. Yet it is development finance--or the deployment of commercial capital for public policy purposes--that is the most potent weapon we have for expanding markets and spurring private sector growth. When the United States wants to encourage job creation in Tunisia, wants to catalyze infrastructure investment in Nigeria, wants to bring Pakistani women into the banking sector, we turn to development finance. Development finance is the future because of the changing global landscape. Many previously poor countries are richer today and are looking for more than aid." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Todd Moss, Jeffrey Herbst, and Alicia Phillips Mandaville.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-07-17
• United States, the Russian Federation and the Challenges Ahead, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 9, 2017

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  This hearing compilation is from the February 9, 2017 hearing on "The United States, the Russian Federation and the Challenges Ahead" before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Philip M. Breedlove: "The problem here is that thus far Moscow's extensive military operation in Syria has devoted little attention to these extremists. It has instead been directed against the weak moderates whom we support and lately, as it works with Ankara, against the Kurds. And its indiscriminate bombing against civilian populations has fueled refugee flows, exacerbating the refugee crisis in Europe. Moscow's principal objective in Syria is to shore up the weak, yet savage, Assad regime. If we back off active opposition to Assad - a serious concession to Mr. Putin -- is Moscow willing to be a real partner in Syria and beyond against Islamic extremists? [...] President Putin has made clear that he wants to upend the post-Cold War order established in Europe. He and senior Russian officials have justified aggression in Ukraine by claiming a right to protect ethnic Russians and Russian speakers there; and they have said that this principle applies elsewhere. Their goal is to weaken NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization], the European Union, and the Transatlantic relationship. [...] We have a vital interest in maintaining a strong NATO and vibrant Europe." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Philip M. Breedlove and Julianne Smith.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-02-09
• International Cybersecurity Strategy: Deterring Foreign Threats and Building Global Cyber Norms, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 25, 2016

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  This is a testimony compilation of the May 25, 2016 hearing "International Cybersecurity Strategy: Deterring Foreign Threats and Building Global Cyber Norms" held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Christopher Painter: "As reflected in the Strategy we provided to Congress last month, the Department of State structures its cyberspace diplomacy in close cooperation with our interagency partners -- including the Departments of Justice, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, and Treasury, and the Intelligence Community -- around the following interrelated, dynamic, and cross-cutting policy pillars drawn from the President's International Strategy for Cyberspace: digital economy; international security; promoting cybersecurity due diligence; combating cybercrime; Internet governance; Internet freedom; and international development and capacity building, as well as cross-cutting issues such as countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. In addition, as we noted, the Department actively is mainstreaming cyberspace issues into its foreign diplomatic engagements and building the necessary internal capacity." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher Painter.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-05-25
• Terrorism and Instability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 10, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the May 10, 2016 hearing "Terrorism and Instability in Sub-Saharan Africa" before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Linda Thomas-Greenfield: "The United States is committed to partnering with the people and governments of Africa to promote democracy, peace and prosperity. Africa is home to the world's youngest and fastest growing population. It presents significant opportunities for transformation and growth as well as significant challenges. The overall trends in sub-Saharan Africa point to accelerated democratization, development, and economic opportunity. Serious and seemingly intractable conflicts in Angola, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone have ended and those countries are in the process of rebuilding. We have seen several significant electoral successes during the past year. Although Africa remains the world's least developed continent, average real per capita income has been increasing steadily over the last decade and a half and the middle class is slowly growing. However, in spite of these positive trends, instability and conflict persist in parts of the continent. This instability has a direct bearing on U.S. national interests and those of our closest allies. Poorly governed localities have been and remain a breeding ground for extremists that seek to do us harm. Underlining the scale of the stability challenges facing Africa, eight of the ten largest United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions in the world are currently deployed in Sub-Saharan Africa." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Linda Etim, Justin Siberell, Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, and Christopher Fomunyoh.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-05-10
• Corruption: Violent Extremism, Kleptocracy, and the Dangers of Failing Governance, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 30, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the June 30, 2016 hearing "Corruption: Violent Extremism, Kleptocracy, and the Dangers of Failing Governance" before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Gayle Smith: "Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, and distinguished members of the Committee: thank you for inviting me here to discuss the United States Agency for International Development's work to combat corruption across the globe. I want to thank you for shining a light on this important topic, and for your continued leadership and ongoing commitment to root out corruption and advance accountability and transparency. Corruption takes on many forms, from the bribery of public officials to collusion in public procurement to the wholesale theft of government assets. Although its different forms may cause varying degrees of harm, corruption as a whole tears at the fabric of society and hinders inclusive economic growth and democratic governance. Additionally, corruption poses major security risks to the United States, often enabling radicalization and violent extremism and fueling political instability and conflict. That is why President Obama views corruption as a fundamental obstacle to peace, prosperity, and human rights, and our Administration has sought to elevate anti-corruption efforts across our foreign policy and development agendas." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Gayle Smith, Tomasz P. Malinowski, Carl Gershman, and Sarah Chayes.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-30
• Spread of ISIS and Transnational Terrorism, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 12, 2016

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  This is a testimony compilation of the April 12, 2016 hearing "The Spread of ISIS and Transnational Terrorism," held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the prepared statement of Graeme Wood: "I will begin with the reasonable fear. Supporters of ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant] have given me little reason to believe that their most brutal and intolerant statements are mere bravado or exaggeration for effect. [...] When they talk about putting the Shia to the sword, or reinstituting slavery and other practices inconsistent with modern notions of human rights, they do so without apology, and at times with evident gusto. Their opinions are thoroughly premeditated, and they are based in an interpretation of scripture and Islamic history, as well as practical considerations. It would be folly to discount their sincerity or to interpret their beliefs as idle, ill-considered, or foolish. The fanaticism is real, and it does not reduce to other factors. [...] I come, then, to the topic of unreasonable fear. First, we should note the mismatch between the soaring ideological claims of ISIL and its practical capability. Its mode of expansion in Syria and Iraq, through fast movement of light-armored vehicles in familiar terrain, does not readily transfer into most other places, and would certainly fail in Turkey or heavily Kurdish or Shiite areas of Iraq. It requires desperate, beleaguered local populations, with some base willingness to contemplate a harsh revivalist Islamism as an alternative to the status quo. The ideology of ISIL echoes Nazism in its genocidal ambitions and tone, but the it is not matched by an equally powerful war machine. The ISIL military is not one of the world's most formidable, and we should not mistake the grandeur of its language for vast operational capacity." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Graeme Wood, Matthew Levitt, and Matthew G. Olson.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-04-12
• Progress Report on the West Africa Ebola Epidemic, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 7, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the April 7, 2016 hearing, "A Progress Report on the West Africa Ebola Epidemic," before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Alan Knight: "My testimony today will focus on two issues: [1] Examining the role of the private sector in coordinating an effective, rapid response during a crisis, and [2] Looking beyond Ebola and lessons learned and considering the challenges of economic recovery. As I sit here today, and as you consider my testimony, I would like to suggest that the private sector's largest contribution during the Ebola outbreak was simply to keep business running. This was achieved through rigorous risk-planning and through the development of health-and-safety systems which minimized the risk of employees contracting the virus. Going forward, I would like to further suggest that the private sector's greatest contribution, post-Ebola, is to keep business going, not in the face of a health emergency, but in an environment of higher costs, higher risks, and low commodity prices. It is my hope that this hearing will examine not only lessons learned but what steps can be taken to ensure that the region's recovery is driven by a private-sector recovery." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Alan Knight, Raj Panjabi, Amanda Glassman, and Sophie Delaunay.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-04-07
• Global Efforts to Defeat ISIS, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 28, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the June 28, 2016 hearing "Global Efforts to Defeat ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Brett McGurk: "The fight against ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] is an unprecedented challenge. More than 40,000 foreign fighters have flowed into Syria over the past five years, swelling the ranks of violent extremist organizations, the most significant of which is ISIL. ISIL is determined to establish a state in Iraq and Syria, and instill terror around the world as part of a perverse agenda, whereby, according to their own ideology, anyone who disagrees with them should die. We have no choice but to defeat ISIL by taking away its territory in Iraq and Syria, severing its global networks, and suffocating its global affiliates. I will describe today the progress we are making in all of these areas, but this progress does not discount the significant threat that remains, and will remain, for years to come. [...] We analyze the ISIL challenge in three dimensions: the core in Iraq and Syria (its phony self-proclaimed 'caliphate'); the global networks (foreign fighter, financial, and messaging networks); and the global affiliates (eight in all, with some far more serious than others). Any successful campaign must address all three, and our global effort, anchored by a coalition of 66 partners, is designed to do just that. At the same time, the ISIL core remains its center of gravity, allowing ISIL to extract resources, recruit, and plan sophisticated external terrorist attacks, as we have seen in Paris and Brussels. Thus, we are focused first and foremost on shrinking the core, uprooting ISIL from the cities, towns, and villages under its control, and destroying its underlying infrastructure, including the human capital of its leaders, now being eliminated one-by-one." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Brett McGurk.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-28
• Ukrainian Reforms Two Years After the Maidan Revolution and the Russian Invasion, Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, March 15, 2016

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  This is a testimony compilation of the March 15, 2016 hearing on "Ukrainian Reforms Two Years After the Maidan Revolution and the Russian Invasion" held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Victoria Nuland: "We have stood by Ukraine for more than two years as Russia has sought to stymie its democratic rebirth at every turn -- with political pressure, economic pressure, and with unprecedented military aggression and violation of international law. Any set of leaders would be challenged to lead their country in this environment. Today, however, Ukraine's European future is put at risk as much by enemies within as by external forces. The oligarchs and kleptocrats who controlled Ukraine for decades know their business model will be broken if Maidan reformers succeed in 2016. They are fighting back with a vengeance, using all the levers of the old system: their control of the media, state owned enterprises, Rada deputies, the courts and the political machinery, while holding old loyalties and threats over the heads of decision-makers to block change." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Victoria Nuland, Ian Brzezinski, and John E. Herbst

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-03-15
• Review of Resources, Priorities and Programs in the FY 2017 State Department Budget Request, Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 26, 2016

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  This is a testimony compilation of the April 26, 2016 hearing on "Review of Resources, Priorities and Programs in the FY 2017 State Department Budget Request" held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of Tomasz Malinowski: "As you know, Secretary Kerry recently released the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which provides an assessment of human rights conditions in countries around the world. When releasing the report, Secretary Kerry noted that we have seen important democratic gains in such countries as Vietnam, Tunisia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Burma, though in each there are challenges that still need to be overcome. He also pointed out, however, that in many countries in the world, there are still major challenges. Seventy-two countries saw increased persecution of civil society, crackdowns on freedom of expression, and restrictions on the rule of law. Members of religious minorities are persecuted for their faith. Human rights activists are harassed, detained, abducted, and even killed for speaking out. Physical threats by state and non-state actors against journalists and editors reporting on corruption and other abuses are on the rise." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tomasz P. Malinowski, Francisco Palmieri, and Elizabeth Hogan.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-04-26
• War in Syria: Next Steps to Mitigate the Crises, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, May 17, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the May 17, 2016 hearing, "War in Syria: Next Steps to Mitigate the Crises," before the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Robert S. Ford: "Thank you for the invitation to speak before the committee today about what new steps can be taken to mitigate the crisis in Syria. It is an honor to appear before you again. There is not much we the United States can do now to mitigate the crisis in Syria quickly. The fighting is too entrenched and bitterly sectarian; both the Syrian government and the armed opposition seek military victory instead of preparing their own ranks for tough, mutual compromises. Foreign nations are deeply involved - far more deeply than the United States - and they are committed to winning the conflict militarily. There is no magic American bullet. This is not to say there are not useful things the United States can and should do, but we are well past the point of a clearly identifiable path out of the conflict." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Robert S. Ford, Nancy Lindborg, and Tamara Cofman Wittes.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-05-17
• NATO: Reviewing the Agenda and Assessing the Potential Outcomes of the Warsaw Summit, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 23, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the June 23, 2016 hearing, "NATO: Reviewing the Agenda and Assessing the Potential Outcomes of the Warsaw Summit," before the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Ian J. Brzezinski: "...I am honored to participate in this hearing addressing the challenges now confronting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the decisions the Alliance will make during its summit meeting in Warsaw on July 8 and 9th. NATO is the institutional cornerstone of transatlantic security. This Alliance serves our national interests by leveraging the political legitimacy and military capacity of its European and North American members. It is history's most successful military Alliance, and it remains as relevant today as it has ever been. NATO's meeting Warsaw next month portends to be its most significant summit since the end of the Cold War. No previous summit in this era has had to address a set of challenges as complex, proximate, and forbidding and as those now present on the Alliance's eastern and southern frontiers. The most urgent of these challenges is the destabilizing combination of Russia's geopolitical assertiveness and growing military power. The decisions NATO promulgates in Warsaw must present a credible deterrent to Russian aggression, revitalize the vision of a Europe whole, free, and secure, and ensure that all allies share equitably the burdens that flow from these objectives. These are three criteria by which to measure success or failure at the Warsaw summit." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Derek Chollet and Ian J. Brzezinski.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-23
• Reviewing the Civil Nuclear Agreement with Norway, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, September 15, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the September 15, 2016 hearing, 'Reviewing the Civil Nuclear Agreement with Norway' before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Thomas M. Countryman: "It is a pleasure to testify before the Committee today regarding the President's submission of an agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Norway. As you know, Norway is a long standing strategic ally and political partner of the United States, and this Agreement is an example of the strength of our bilateral relationship. The United States and Norway have had a strong partnership in the field of peaceful nuclear cooperation for more than half a century, and the United States is pleased to renew this cooperation with an updated 123 agreement. The terms of the new U.S.-Norway Agreement strongly reaffirm the two governments' shared commitment to nonproliferation as the cornerstone of our nuclear cooperation relationship. Norway has a strong track record on and has consistently reiterated its commitment to nonproliferation. It has been an extremely active partner with the United States across a wide breadth of bilateral and multilateral activities designed to ensure the implementation of the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation worldwide." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas M. Countryman.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-09-15
• Zika in the Western Hemisphere: Risks and Response, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, July 13, 2016

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  This is the July 13, 2016 hearing on "Zika in the Western Hemisphere: Risks and Response" held before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues. From the statement of Judith G. Garber: "Forty countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are currently experiencing active, mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika virus. Several countries and territories in Africa and Asia are also experiencing outbreaks for the first time, including outbreaks of the epidemic strain circulating in the Americas. It is likely only a matter of time before we experience local transmission in the continental United States and Hawaii as well. In the short time since this epidemic began, international science and medical experts - my colleague Dr. Frieden foremost amongst them - have sought to understand the truly devastating impacts that this virus can have on its victims, and particularly on developing fetuses. It will be years before we know the full extent of what physicians are now calling 'Congenital Zika Syndrome.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Judith G. Garber, Tom Frieden, and Irene Koek.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-07-13
• Venezuela: Options for U.S. Policy, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 2, 2017

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  This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the March 2, 2017 hearing, "Venezuela: Options for U.S. Policy," before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss Venezuela and the various options for U.S. policy. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Smilde, Shannon O'Neil, and Mark Feierstein.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-03-02
• Democracy and Human Rights: The Case for U.S. Leadership, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 16, 2017

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  This testimony compilation is from the February 16, 2017 hearing on "Democracy and Human Rights: The Case for U.S. Leadership" before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crimes, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the testimony of Carl Gershman: "Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this very timely and important hearing on the importance of U.S. leadership in supporting human rights and democracy in the world. As we know too well, democracy today is being challenged as never before since the end of the Cold War. The crisis has many dimensions, including the rise of ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other terrorist movements; growing illiberalism in Turkey, Hungary, the Philippines and other backsliding democracies; eleven consecutive years of decline in global democracy, as measured by Freedom House; and,most importantly, what the letter of invitation to this hearing calls 'resurgent authoritarianism.' An editorial in 'The Washington Post' last June defined resurgent authoritarianism as a modernday version of the totalitarian threat that Winston Churchill decried in his famous 'iron curtain' address in 1946. 'No longer is it about communism,' the editorial said, 'but rather the rise of despots who rule by force and coercion, from Russia to China, across the Middle East and Central Asia, to Latin America and Africa. In the past decade, these leaders have become more adept -- and daring -- at building a parallel universe to the liberal democratic order. In their construct, state power reigns supreme, political competition is extinguished, civil society elbowed out, and freedoms of expression, association and belief suppressed. Surprisingly, some of these leaders, particularly in Russia and China, have been wielding a sophisticated and deceptive soft power beyond their borders that is proving more enduring and effective than in the past.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Carl Gershman, Mark Green, Kenneth Wollack, Garry Kasparov, Halah Eldoseri, and Danilo "El Sexto" Maldonado Machado.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-02-16
• U.S. Sanctions Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 8, 2016

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  This testimony compilation is from the June 8, 2016, hearing, "U.S. Sanctions Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa" before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Sue E. Eckert: "UN sanctions in Africa constitute the majority of all UN sanctions - about 70%. In the early days, sanctions were often imposed in an ad hoc manner, without a coherent coordinated strategy; rather than be part of a well -designed response to address conflict/threats to international peace and security, at times the imposition of sanctions has substituted as a policy. While understandable that during times of crisis, governments want to act quickly, the use of sanctions to show resolve without integrating them into an overall strategy is largely ineffective. Sanctions then take on a life of their own. For this reason, it is important that the objectives of sanctions are clearly articulated at the outset, for the targets to understand precise actions that need to be taken for sanctions to be lifted. Too often, vague criteria and moving goalposts prolong sanctions unnecessarily. The Security Council (and even Member States) have difficulty terminating sanctions regimes once imposed (for example, in Liberia). Automatic extensions of sanctions regimes diffuses signals as to expected actions, undermining their credibility. While important progress has been made in making UN sanctions more effective, more needs to be done for sanctions to be used to full effect and be effectual instruments to advance US and international security objectives in Africa." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sue E. Eckert, Todd Moss, Princeton N. Lyman, and Brad Brooks-Rubin.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-08
• American Leadership in the Asia- Pacific, Part 2: Economic Issues, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 24, 2017

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  This testimony compilation is from the May 24, 2017 hearing on "American Leadership in the Asia- Pacific, Part 2: Economic Issues," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to receive testimony regarding economic issues in relation to American leadership in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as both threats and opportunities for U.S. interests in the region. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tami Overby and Robert Orr.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-05-24
• Hearing on the Nomination of Nikki R. Haley, of South Carolina, to be the United States of America Representative to the United Nations, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, January 18, 2017

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  This testimony compilation is from the January 18, 2017 hearing, 'Hearing on the Nomination of Nikki R. Haley, of South Carolina, to be the United States of America Representative to the United Nations,' before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Nikki R. Haley: "I come before you today both humbled and honored to be considered to represent the United States of America at the United Nations. Just as other nominees for this position have done, I am here to outline my vision and discuss my qualifications." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Nikki R. Haley.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-01-18
• S. Hrg. 114-688: State Department and USAID Management Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, December 8, 2016

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  This is the December 8, 2016 hearing on "State Department and USAID Management Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Administration," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development of the Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of David Perdue: "The Inspectors General before us here today are charged with evaluating and assessing State and USAID's programs and operations and making recommendations to strengthen their integrity, effectiveness, and accountability. As such, the Inspectors General are dedicated to detecting and preventing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. As we move forward into a new administration which will have new leadership and fresh ideas, I wanted to take the opportunity to bring you up-to really focus-to visit with us again, to focus again on the management piece of this mandate." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Steve A. Linick and Ann Calvaresi Barr.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017
• Our Evolving Understanding and Response to Transnational Criminal Threats, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, June 16, 2016

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  This is the June 16, 2016 hearing on "Transnational Criminal Threats" held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the statement of William R. Brownfield: "Transnational organized crime encompasses a wide variety of criminal threats, ranging from illegal trafficking in drugs, people and wildlife to cybercrime and money laundering. Any serious ongoing criminal activity that crosses international borders and involves three or more people meets the legal definition of transnational organized crime, and these activities threaten the interests of the United States on three broad, interrelated fronts." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: William R. Brownfield.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2016-06-16
• Six Years of War in Syria: The Human Toll, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 15, 2017

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  This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the March 15, 2017 hearing, "Six Years of War in Syria: The Human Toll," before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss the humanitarian toll of the Syrian civil war that has taken place over the last six years. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dr. Farida, Dr. Abdulkhalek, Dr. Mohamed Abu Rajab, Neal Keny-Guyer, and David Miliband.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-03-15
• American Leadership in the Asia-Pacific, Part 1: Security Issues, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, March 29, 2017

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  This testimony compilation made by the HSDL staff is from the March 29, 2017 hearing, "American Leadership in the Asia-Pacific, Part 1: Security Issues," before the United States Senate Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign Relations. The purpose of this hearing was to discuss, "some of the issues that impact US national security in the Asia-Pacific region. [...] [Particularly regarding] the security dimensions of the US-China relationship writ large, the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and the implications for nuclear terrorism of significant plutonium stocks accumulating in the civilian nuclear power programs of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Randy Forbes and Robert L. Gallucci.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Foreign Relations

  2017-03-29