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Post-9/11 National Threat Notification Efforts: Issues, Actions, and Options for Congress [April 29, 2005]
From the Summary: "Congress is now considering legislation (H.R. 1817, The Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for FY2006) to reform the Homeland Security Advisor System to allow for greater confidence in the threat information conveyed to the Nation. Since September 11, 2001, numerous federal government organizations have notified the public of threats to the Nation. At times, warnings have been issued in a government-wide coordinated manner; other times this has not been the case. In each situation that has led to increasing the threat level, a number of organizations have made public pronouncements regarding the nature of the threat prior to, during, or after the raising of the alert-level. The information conveyed to the public often has been inconsistent regarding the threat or the timing of a suspected attack. This lack of coordination and unity in message has led to a dilution in the American public's belief in the pronouncements and a questioning of the utility of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). The focus of this paper is the federal government's coordination efforts in publicly alerting the Nation of threats to the homeland. The report reviews past warnings and changes in the alert level, organizations that have made public statements regarding threats to the Nation, and examples of how this lack of unity might lead to confusion and misinterpretations of the threat level. Options for Congress are provided regarding delineation of roles and responsibilities and which government entity should be held accountable for warning the Nation of threats to the homeland."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rollins, John; Cunningham, L. J.
2005-04-29
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China's Trade with the United States and the World [Updated April 29, 2005]
"As imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC) have surged in recent years, posing a threat to some U.S. industries and manufacturing employment, Congress has begun to focus on not only access to the Chinese market and intellectual property rights (IPO) protection, but also the mounting U.S. trade deficit with China as well as allegations that China is selling its products on the international market at below cost (dumping), engaging in 'currency manipulation,' and exploiting its workers. The 109th Congress has introduced several bills that would impose trade sanctions on China for not revaluing its currency or for engaging in other acts of unfair trade, while the Bush Administration has imposed anti-dumping duties and safeguards against some PRC products and pressured China to revalue its currency and remove non-tariff trade barriers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Nanto, Dick Kazuyuki
2005-04-29
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Africa, the G8, and the Blair Initiative [Updated April 29, 2005]
"Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair has launched a major diplomatic effort to marshal the resources he sees as needed to eradicate extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. He intends to focus the July 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland, which he will chair, on this initiative. Blair is pushing for a substantial aid increase for Africa through an 'International Finance Facility' (IFF) and 100% forgiveness of poor country debt to the international financial institutions. The IFF would issue bonds to finance an additional $25 billion in annual aid to Africa for three to five years, followed by another $25 billion boost if African governments improve their managerial and administrative capabilities. IFF bonds would be backed by a promise from the G7 leading economic powers to repay them after 2015. Poor country debts to the World Bank and the African Development Bank would also be paid by the G7, while debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be funded by revaluing or selling IMF gold. Finally, Blair seeks the removal of barriers to Africa's exports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2005-04-29
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Strategic Mobility Innovation: Options and Oversight Issues [April 29, 2005]
"With the George W. Bush Administration proposing a reduction in the U.S. military overseas basing posture and also identifying transformation as a major goal for the Department of Defense (DOD), the need to rapidly transport U.S. military forces from one location to another has appeared to increase in importance. Consequently, Congress may opt to consider what the future holds in the area of strategic mobility innovation. A central issue for the 109th Congress is the determination of which investments should be pursued today to develop strategic mobility platforms to meet tomorrows National Security Strategy requirements. Congressional decisions concerning this issue could have significant implications for future U.S. military capabilities, DOD funding requirements, the defense industrial base, and future congressional oversight of DOD activities. This report will examine strategic mobility innovation in airlift and sealift used to transport cargo and personnel between theaters of operation (inter-theater)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Klaus, Jon D.
2005-04-29
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Israeli-United States Relations [Updated April 28, 2005]
"Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable emphasis on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored aid closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration's policies. U.S.-Israeli relations have evolved from an initial American policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the U.S. superpower trying to balance competing interests in the region. Some in the United States question the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel, and argue that a U.S. bias toward Israel operates at the expense of improved U.S. relations with various Arab states. Others maintain that democratic Israel is a strategic ally; they further argue that U.S. relations with Israel strengthens the U.S. presence in the Middle East. The United States fully supported the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on September 13, 1993, and the follow-up agreements in May 1994, September 1995, the Hebron agreement of January 15, 1997, and the Wye agreement of October 23, 1998, mediated by President Clinton."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2005-04-28
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Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis, Peace Talks, Terrorism, and U.S. Policy [Updated April 28, 2005]
"Sudan, geographically the largest country in Africa, has been ravaged by civil war intermittently for four decades. An estimated 2 million people have died over the past two decades due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. There have been many failed attempts to end the civil war in southern Sudan, including efforts by Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, former President Jimmy Carter, and the United States. To that end, the heads of state from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda formed a mediation committee under the aegis of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and held the first formal negotiations in March 1994. In July 2002, the Sudan government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signed a peace framework agreement in Kenya. In early September, the government of Sudan walked out of the Machakos talks and returned under pressure in early October 2002. On May 26, 2004, the government of Sudan and SPLA signed three protocols on Power Sharing, on the Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile, and on the long disputed Abyei area. The signing of these protocols resolved all outstanding issues between the parties. On June 5, 2004, the parties signed 'the Nairobi Declaration on the Final Phase of Peace in the Sudan.' On January 9, 2005, the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed the final peace agreement at a ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya. The signing of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement effectively ended the 21-year old civil war and triggered a six-year Interim Period."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2005-04-28
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Nigeria in Political Transition [Updated April 28, 2005]
"Nigeria continues to make progress in strengthening its fragile democracy but faces serious economic challenges. Nigeria's population, now 133 million, is projected to grow to over 260 million by 2025. Nigeria remains relatively stable, although ethnic and religious clashes in some parts of the country have led to massive displacement of civilian populations. Thousands of civilians have been killed over the past several years and many more wounded in religious clashes. Under President Obasanjo, Nigeria has emerged has a major player in Africa. President Obasanjo took a leading role in the creation of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU). He is the current Chairman of the AU. President Obasanjo also played key roles in facilitating the exile of Liberian President Charles Taylor. Nigeria is also facilitating negotiations between the government of Sudan and the Darfur rebels. In August 2003, Nigeria sent an estimated 1,500 troops to Liberia as part of a West African-led peacekeeping force."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2005-04-28
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Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations [Updated April 28, 2005]
"Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by the Saud dynasty, enjoys special importance in much of the international community because of its unique association with the Islamic religion and its oil wealth. Since the establishment of the modern Saudi kingdom in 1932, it has benefitted from a stable political system based on a smooth process of succession to the throne and a prosperous economy dominated by the oil sector. Some commentators have suggested that growing internal pressures and regional tensions may have weakened the Saudi regime in recent years; others point to an apparent consensus behind Saudi institutions over much of the last century as evidence of long-term stability. The United States and Saudi Arabia have long-standing economic and defense ties. A series of informal agreements, statements by successive U.S. administrations, and military deployments have demonstrated a strong U.S. security commitment to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was a key member of the allied coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991. […] Bombing attacks against several U.S. and foreign operated installations in Saudi Arabia have raised some concerns about security of U.S. personnel and what appears to be growing anti-Americanism in some segments of the Saudi population. Since the attacks on the United States September 11, 2001, some commentators have maintained that Saudi domestic and foreign policies have created a climate that may have contributed to terrorist acts by Islamic radicals. U.S. officials have generally cited Saudi support in the aftermath of the attacks, including increased intelligence sharing, law enforcement activities, and tracking of terrorist financing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2005-04-28
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Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress [April 28, 2005]
"The Future Combat System (FCS) is the U.S. Armys multiyear, multi-billion dollar program at the heart of the Armys transformation efforts. It is to be the Armys major research, development, and acquisition program to consist of 18 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive communications network. FCS is intended to replace such current systems as the M-1 Abrams tank and the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle with advanced, networked combat systems. The FCS program has been characterized by the Army and others as a high-risk venture due to the advanced technologies involved as well as the challenge of networking all of the FCS subsystems together so that FCS-equipped units can function as intended."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2005-04-28
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Detention of U.S. Citizens [April 28, 2005]
In 1971, Congress passed legislation to repeal the Emergency Detention Act of
1950 and to enact the following language: No citizen shall be imprisoned or otherwise detained by the United States except pursuant to an Act of Congress. The new language, codified at 18 U.S.C. 4001(a), is called the Non-Detention Act. This statutory provision received attention after the 9/11 terrorist attacks when the Administration designated certain U.S. citizens as enemy combatants and claimed the right to detain them indefinitely without charging them, bringing them to trial, or giving them access to counsel. In litigation over Yaser Esam Hamdi and Jose Padilla, both designated enemy combatants, the Administration has argued that the Non-Detention Act restricts only imprisonments and detentions by the Attorney General, not by the President or military authorities. For more detailed analysis, see CRS Report RL31724, Detention of American Citizens as Enemy Combatants, by Jennifer K. Elsea. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fisher, Louis
2005-04-28
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Renditions: Constraints Imposed by Laws on Torture [April 28, 2005]
"Persons suspected of terrorist activity may be transferred from one State (i.e., country) for arrest, detention, and/or interrogation. Commonly, this is done through extradition, by which one State surrenders a person within its jurisdiction to a requesting State via a formal legal process, typically established by treaty. Far less often, such transfers are effectuated through a process known as 'extraordinary rendition' or 'irregular rendition.' These terms have often been used to refer to the extrajudicial transfer of a person from one State to another (for purposes of this report, 'rendition' refers to extraordinary or irregular renditions unless otherwise specified). Although the particularities regarding the usage of extraordinary renditions and the legal authority behind such renditions is not publicly available, various U.S. officials have acknowledged the practices existence. Recently, there has been some controversy as to the usage of renditions by the United States, particularly with regard to the alleged transfer of suspected terrorists to countries known to employ harsh interrogation techniques that may rise to the level of torture, purportedly with the knowledge or acquiescence of the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garcia, Michael John
2005-04-28
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Palestinian Education and the Debate over Textbooks [April 27, 2005]
"Palestinian education reform is seen to be a key element in the Palestinian- Israeli peace process. Many observers frequently have expressed concern that the Palestinian Authority (PA) education curriculum incites a younger generation of Palestinians to reject Israel, Judaism, and the achievement of peace in the region. Furthermore, some analysts and policymakers maintain that Palestinian education reform is not only important for Israeli-Palestinian peace, but also for broader U.S. interests in the region. From their perspective, a diverse, balanced curriculum may serve as a benchmark towards greater peace, democratization, and the development of a vibrant civil society in the Palestinian Territories."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Pina, Aaron D.
2005-04-27
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Pakistan-U.S. Relations [Updated April 27, 2005]
"A stable, democratic, economically thriving Pakistan is considered vital to U.S. interests in Asia. Key U.S. concerns regarding Pakistan include regional terrorism; weapons proliferation; the ongoing Kashmir problem and Pakistan-India tensions; human rights protection; and economic development. A U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by periods of both cooperation and discord was transformed by the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing enlistment of Pakistan as a pivotal ally in U.S.-led counterterrorism efforts. Top U.S. officials regularly praise Islamabad for its ongoing cooperation, although doubts exist about Islamabad' s commitment to some core U.S. interests in the region. Pakistan is identified as a base for terrorist groups and their supporters operating in Kashmir, India, and Afghanistan. Pakistan continues to face serious problems, including domestic terrorism and human rights violations. Since late 2003, Pakistan's army has been conducting unprecedented counterterrorism operations in traditionally autonomous western tribal areas."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-04-27
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Environmental Protection Issues in the 109th Congress [Updated April 27, 2005]
"Environmental protection concerns span a wide variety of issues, including clean air, water quality, chemical security, and environmental aspects of other major issue areas such as transportation and defense. This issue brief provides an overview of key environmental issues that are receiving or may receive attention in the 109th Congress. The sections on specific issues contain references to more detailed and extensive CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports on the subjects covered. […] Early in the year the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held hearings and scheduled markup of S. 131, the Clear Skies Act. However, the bill failed on a tie vote March 9, 2005, owing to the contentious nature of the debate over whether clean air regulation would be made more effective or weakened by the legislation, and whether it should include carbon dioxide. On March 16, 2005, the same committee ordered reported S. 606, the Reliable Fuels Act, which would amend the Clean Air Act to ban the gasoline additive MTBE, and providing for a replacement additive -- ethanol. […](It should be noted that this issue brief treats mainly pollution-related matters; for natural resource management issues, see CRS Report RL32699, 'Natural Resources: Selected Issues for the 109th Congress.')"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fletcher, Susan R.; Isler, Margaret
2005-04-27
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'Corps of Engineers Reform' in WRDA 2005 [April 27, 2005]
"Enactment of Water Resources Development Acts (WRDAs) in recent Congresses has been complicated by proposed changes to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) policies and practices. S. 728, WRDA 2005, contains provisions to alter the formulation, review, and implementation of Corps water resources projects. These provisions are fueling disagreement about the appropriate direction for change and are shaping the WRDA debate in the 109th Congress. One view is that Corps projects could be improved by increasing environmental considerations in project planning, implementing external review, and enacting more stringent requirements for fish and wildlife mitigation. Another view supports refinements to Corps planning, review, and mitigation that are aimed at limiting the length and increasing the predictability of the project development process, while not increasing costs. The changes to Corps practices proposed in S. 728 draw upon multiple views; most changes proposed in WRDA bills in the 108th Congress and other legislation draw more heavily upon the former view. This report will be updated as legislative events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2005-04-27
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Energy: Useful Facts and Numbers [Updated April 27, 2005]
"Energy supplies and prices are a major economic factor in the United States, and energy markets are volatile and unpredictable. For both these reasons, energy policy is of frequent interest to the Congress. This report presents a statistical view of the supply and consumption of various forms of energy. After an introductory overview of aggregate energy consumption, the report presents detailed analysis of trends and statistics regarding specific energy sources: oil, electricity, natural gas, and coal. A section on trends in energy efficiency is also presented. This report depends largely on data released annually by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and will be updated as new data become available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.
2005-04-27
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Caribbean Region: Issues in U.S. Relations [Updated April 27, 2005]
"With some 34 million people and 16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the Caribbean is a diverse region that includes some of the hemispheres richest and poorest nations. The region consists of 13 island nations, from the Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south; Belize, which is geographically located in Central America; and the two nations of Guyana and Suriname, located on the north central coast of South America. With the exception of Cuba and Haiti, Caribbean governments have generally respected the human rights of their citizens. Regular elections are the norm, and for the most part have been free and fair. Nevertheless, while many Caribbean nations have long democratic traditions, they are not immune to threats to their political stability, including terrorism. Many nations in the region experienced economic decline in 2001-2002 due to downturns in the tourism and agriculture sectors. The extensive damage resulting from several storms in 2004 caused an economic setback for several Caribbean nations. U.S. interests in the Caribbean are diverse, and include economic, political, and security concerns. The Bush Administration describes the Caribbean as Americas 'third border,' with events in the region having a direct impact on the homeland security of the United States. According to the Administration, the United States has an interest in bolstering political and economic stability in the region because instability would heighten the regions vulnerability to drug trafficking, financial crimes, and illegal immigration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2005-04-27
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Gasoline Prices: Policies and Proposals [April 27, 2005]
"As Congress continues to consider major energy legislation, the high price of gasoline remains an issue to be considered. The legislative proposals of past Congresses have contained numerous provisions that would affect gasoline supply and demand, as does current legislation. A large number of factors combined to put pressure on gasoline prices, including increased world demand for crude oil and U.S. refinery capacity inadequate to supply gasoline to a recovering national economy. The war and continued violence in Iraq added uncertainty and a threat of supply disruption that added pressure particularly to the commodity futures markets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.; Glover, Carol F.
2005-04-27
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U.S. Assistance to North Korea [Updated April 26, 2005]
"Since 1995, the U.S. has provided over $1 billion in foreign assistance to the Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea (DPRK, also known as North Korea), about 60% of which has taken the form of food aid, and about 40% in the form of energy assistance channeled through the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). Additionally, the Bush Administration has proposed offering North Korea broad economic development assistance in exchange for Pyongyang verifiably dismantling its nuclear program and cooperating on other security-related issues. U.S. aid to North Korea has been controversial since its inception, and the controversy has been intimately linked to the larger debate over the most effective strategy for dealing with the DPRK. The North Korean Human Rights Act, (passed by the 108th Congress as H.R. 4011, P.L. 108-333) for instance, which includes hortatory language calling for significant increases above current levels of U.S. support for humanitarian assistance to be conditioned upon substantial improvements in transparency, monitoring, and access. Pyongyang has the Act as evidence of the United States hostile policy toward North Korea, and has used it as justification to suspend its participation in the six party talks to resolve the nuclear crisis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2005-04-26
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Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated April 26, 2005]
On April 26, Palestine President Mahmud Abbas named Rashid Abu Shbak to head the Preventative Security Services. Shbak is one of Fatahs younger generation leaders who had been in charge of Gaza police since 2003. Earlier in April, Abbas announced that 1,150 security officials were to be retired as part of the Presidents police reform. After his April 11 meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, President Bush said that there should be no expansion of settlements in the occupied territories. President Bush repeated his support for a two-state solution and his belief that Israel would retain some of the West Bank settlement areas. Palestine President Mahmud Abbas is scheduled to visit Washington to meet with the President in May.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2005-04-26
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Lebanon [Updated April 26, 2005]
"The United States and Lebanon continue to enjoy good relations. Prominent current issues between the United States and Lebanon include progress toward a Lebanon-Israel peace treaty, U.S. aid to Lebanon, and Lebanon's capacity to stop Hizballah militia attacks on Israel. The United States supports Lebanon's independence and favored the end of Israeli and Syrian occupation of parts of Lebanon. Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon on May 23, 2000, and three recent withdrawals have reduced the Syrian military presence from 30,000 to 16,000. A large Lebanese-American community follows U.S.-Lebanon relations closely. Presidents Eisenhower and Reagan said the United States had 'vital' interests in Lebanon, but others might describe U.S. interests in Lebanon as less than vital. At the invitation of the Lebanese government, the United States intervened in Lebanon to defend Lebanese sovereignty in 1958 and 1982. In a Beirut terror bombing in October 1983, 241 U.S. armed forces personnel died. From 1987 until July 1997, the United States banned travel to Lebanon because of the threat of kidnapping and dangers from the ongoing civil war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2005-04-26
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NPT Compliance: Issues and Views [April 26, 2005]
"Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will meet in May 2005 in New York to review implementation. Since the last review conference in 2000, the biggest issue to emerge is treaty compliance, particularly Iran's compliance. President Bush has remarked that 'NPT Parties must take strong action to confront the threat of noncompliance with the NPT...We cannot allow rogue states that violate their commitments...to undermine the NPT's fundamental role in strengthening international security.' However, some NPT parties are adamant that the United States and other nuclear weapon states are not complying with their own obligations, namely, to pursue nuclear disarmament. This report, which will be updated as needed, discusses different views and issues related to NPT compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2005-04-26
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Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance [April 26, 2005]
"Israel is not economically self-sufficient, and relies on foreign assistance and borrowing to maintain its economy. Since 1985, the United States has provided $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, and is the largest cumulative recipient since World War II. In addition to U.S. assistance, it is estimated that Israel receives about $1 billion annually through philanthropy, an equal amount through short- and long- term commercial loans, and around $1 billion in Israel Bonds proceeds. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on July 10, 1996, that Israel would reduce its need for U.S. aid over the next four years. In January 1998, Finance Minister Neeman proposed eliminating the $1.2 billion economic aid and increasing the $1.8 billion in military aid by $60 million per year during a 10-year period beginning in the year 2000. The FY1999 through 2005 appropriations bills included cuts of $120 million in economic aid and an increase of $60 million in military aid for each year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2005-04-26
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U.S. Military and Iraqi Casualty Statistics: Additional Numbers and Explanations [April 26, 2005]
From the Summary: "This report provides several estimates of difficult-to-find casualty statistics from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operation Enduring Freedom includes ongoing operations in Afghanistan, operations against terrorists in other countries, and operations supporting foreign efforts to defeat terrorists. Operation Iraqi Freedom includes the invasion of Iraq and all subsequent operations in Iraq."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fischer, Hannah
2005-04-26
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Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance [Updated April 26, 2005]
From the Document "Operation Iraqi Freedom accomplished a long-standing U.S. objective, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, but replacing his regime with a stable, moderate, democratic political structure has run into significant difficulty. That outcome would contribute to preventing Iraq from becoming a sanctuary for terrorists, a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission report (Chapter 12, Section 2). During the1990s, U.S. efforts to covertly change the regime failed because of limited U.S. commitment, disorganization of the Iraqi opposition, and the vigilance of Iraq's several overlapping security services. Previous U.S. Administrations had ruled out a U.S. military invasion to change the regime, believing such action would be risky and that Iraq did not necessarily pose a level of threat that would justify doing so. President George W. Bush characterized Iraq as a grave potential threat to the United States because of its refusal to abandon its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and its potential to transfer WMD to terrorist groups. After a November 2002-March 2003 round of U.N. WMD inspections in which Iraq's cooperation was mixed, on March 19, 2003, the United States launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to disarm Iraq and change its regime. The regime fell on April 9, 2003. Although acknowledging that the insurgency is adversely affecting U.S. policy, the Bush Administration asserts that U.S. policy in Iraq will ultimately succeed as U.S., NATO, and other trainers build Iraq's various security bodies. Some believe the United States should add significant numbers of troops to the current level of about 150,000, plus about 26,000 foreign military personnel. Others believe the United States needs to take new steps to recruit major international force contributors, and yet some others believe that the United States should end its presence in Iraq."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2005-04-26
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Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector [Updated April 25, 2005]
"Damage to or destruction of the nation's water supply and water quality infrastructure by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. Interest in such problems has increased greatly since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon. Across the country, water infrastructure systems extend over vast areas, and ownership and operation responsibility are both public and private but are overwhelmingly non-federal. Since the attacks, federal dam operators and water and wastewater utilities have been under heightened security conditions and are evaluating security plans and measures. There are no federal standards or agreed-upon industry best practices within the water infrastructure sector to govern readiness, response to security incidents, and recovery. Efforts to develop protocols and tools are ongoing since the 2001 terrorist attacks. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions by the government and private sector since September 11, and discusses additional policy issues and responses, including congressional interest."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copeland, Claudia; Cody, Betsy A.
2005-04-25
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National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center: Issues for Congress [April 25, 2005]
"The construction of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC), with an estimated construction cost of $128 million, will be the first Department of Homeland Security laboratory specifically focused on biodefense. Its programmatic contents and component organization are unclear, as conflicting information has been provided during each of the past three budget cycles. Congressional oversight of programs, especially those performed in federal facilities for homeland security purposes, is considered key to maintaining transparency in biodefense. Policy issues which may interest Congress include funding for the construction of the NBACC facility, transparency of research activities performed through the center, and the potential for duplication of effort between the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. This report will be updated as circumstances warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shea, Dana A.
2005-04-25
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Pakistan: Chronology of Recent Events [Updated April 25, 2005]
"This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving Pakistan and Pakistan-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Department of State, 'New York Times', 'Washington Post', 'Dawn' (Karachi), 'Daily Times' (Lahore), 'News International' (Karachi), and major newswires. For a substantive review, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB94041, 'Pakistan-U.S. Relations'. This report will be updated regularly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-04-25
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China's Economic Conditions [Updated April 25, 2005]
"Since the initiation of economic reforms in 1979, China has become one of the world's fastest-growing economies. From 1979 to 2003, China's real GDP [Gross Domestic Product] grew at an average rate of 9.3%; it is estimated to have risen by 9.1% in 2004. Many economists speculate that China could become the world's largest economy at some point in the near future, provided that the government is able to continue and deepen economic reforms, particularly in regard to its inefficient state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the state banking system. Progress in reforming these sectors in recent years has been somewhat mixed. […] China's economy continues to be a concern to U.S. policymakers. On the one hand, China's economic growth presents huge opportunities for U.S. exporters. On the other hand, the surge in Chinese exports to the United States has put competitive pressures on many U.S. industries. Many U.S. policymakers have argued that greater efforts should be made to pressure China to fully implement its WTO [World Trade Organization] commitments and to change various economic policies deemed harmful to U.S. economic interests, such as its pegging of its currency (the 'yuan') to the U.S. dollar and its use of subsidies to support SOEs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2005-04-25
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House Select Committee on Intelligence: Leadership and Assignment Limitations [April 25, 2005]
From the Summary: "Both House rules and respective party rules address committee assignments and leadership selection. Several of those rules apply specifically to select committees, and in some cases, are unique to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This report identifies House rules, Republican Conference rules, and Democratic Caucus rules that affect the makeup of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. It will be updated if events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schneider, Judy
2005-04-25
