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Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [January 12, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report presents background information and issues for Congress concerning the Navy's force structure and shipbuilding plans. The current and planned size and composition of the Navy, the annual rate of Navy ship procurement, the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans, and the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry to execute the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been oversight matters for the congressional defense committees for many years. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's force-level goal, its proposed FY2022 shipbuilding program, and its longer-term shipbuilding plans. Decisions that Congress makes on this issue can substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-01-12
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Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 19, 2022]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information and potential issues for Congress for three types of large unmanned vehicles (UVs) that the Navy wants to develop and procure in FY2022 and beyond: [1] Large Unmanned Surface Vehicles (LUSVs); [2] Medium Unmanned Surface Vehicles (MUSVs); and [3] Extra-large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy wants to acquire these large UVs as part of an effort to shift the Navy to a new fleet architecture (i.e., a new combination of ships and other platforms) that is more widely distributed than the Navy's current fleet architecture. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $434.1 million in research and development funding for these large UVs and their enabling technologies. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's acquisition strategies and funding requests for these large UVs. The Navy's proposals for developing and procuring them pose a number of oversight issues for Congress. Congress's decisions on these issues could substantially affect Navy capabilities and funding requirements and the shipbuilding and UV industrial bases. In addition to the large UVs covered in this report, the Navy also wants to develop and procure smaller USVs and UUVs, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various sizes. Other U.S. military services are developing, procuring, and operating their own types of UVs. Separate CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports address some of these efforts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-01-19
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Navy DDG(X) Next-Generation Destroyer Program: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated January 13, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The Navy's DDG(X) [Developmental Guided Missile Destroyer] program envisages procuring a class of next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy's Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and its older Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers. The Navy wants to procure the first DDG(X) in FY2028. The Navy's proposed FY2022 budget requests $121.8 million in research and development funding for the program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2022-01-13
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FY2013 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [April 2, 2012]
"Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January but not later than the first Monday in February. This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with Internet addresses, Government Printing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and Internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant. Please note that neither the Congressional Research Service (CRS) nor the Library of Congress (LOC) distributes print copies of the budget documents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nagel, Jared C.
2012-04-02
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FY2013 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [March 1, 2012]
From the Document: "Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January but not later than the first Monday in February. This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with Internet addresses, Government Printing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and Internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant. Please note that neither the Congressional Research Service (CRS) nor the Library of Congress (LOC) distributes print copies of the budget documents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nagel, Jared C.
2012-03-01
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Tracking Current Federal Legislation and Regulations: A Guide to Basic Sources [Updated January 13, 2005]
"By using a variety of basic printed, online, and telephone sources, constituents can track federal legislation and regulations at the local level. Those who prefer
weekly overviews would be interested in such publications as 'CQ Weekly, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News and World
Report. For daily coverage, helpful printed sources are the Congressional Record, CQ Today (formerly CQ Daily Monitor), the Federal Register, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times.' Databases such as THOMAS, GPO [Government Printing Office] Access, the websites of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, LexisNexis, and WESTLAW would also be useful. The 'Code of Federal Regulations, the Index to the Code of Federal Regulations, and the CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress' provide access by subject to regulatory and legislative publications. Telephone sources such as Capitol Hill's bill status office, the White House's office of the executive clerk, and the office of the 'Federal Register' can give brief information on legislative and regulatory developments too new to have been captured by standard online or printed sources. Capsule descriptions of directories and other media sources are provided, as is a bibliography. Annotations for each source contain publisher contact information. This report will be updated yearly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis, Carol D.
2005-01-13
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FY2021 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [Updated September 8, 2020]
From the Summary: "Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January, but no later than the first Monday in February (31 U.S.C. §1105(a)). This year the President released the budget submission on February 10, 2020. This report provides brief descriptions of the FY2021 budget volumes and related documents, together with internet addresses, Government Publishing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Murray, Justin
2020-09-08
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FY2015 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability [April 17, 2014]
"Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President's submission is required on or after the first Monday in January but not later than the first Monday in February. This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with Internet addresses, Government Printing Office (GPO) stock numbers, and prices for obtaining print copies of these publications. It also explains how to find the locations of government depository libraries, which can provide both printed copies for reference use and Internet access to the online versions. This report will be updated as events warrant. Please note that neither the Congressional Research Service (CRS) nor the Library of Congress (LOC) distributes print copies of the budget documents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nagel, Jared C.
2014-04-17
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U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated August 27, 2021]
From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country with a speed that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan, including [1] Background information useful for understanding the current situation in Afghanistan; [2] The Taliban takeover and Afghan government's collapse; [3] U.S. policy implications of the Taliban takeover; [4] Social and economic implications of the Taliban takeover; [5] Regional reactions to the Taliban's takeover; [6] U.S. military operations; [7] Evacuation of U.S. citizens and some Afghans; and [8] Budgetary implications of the U.S. withdrawal. [...] The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future. [...] This report will be updated to reflect major changes in U.S. policy or developments in Afghanistan that may significantly affect U.S. decisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .
2021-08-27
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U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [August 20, 2021]
From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The fall of the elected Afghan government, supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan, including [1] Background information useful for understanding the current situation in Afghanistan; [2] The Taliban takeover and Afghan government's collapse; [3] U.S. policy implications of the Taliban takeover; [4] Social and economic implications of the Taliban takeover; [5] Regional reactions to the Taliban's takeover; [6] U.S. military operations; and [7] Budgetary implications of the U.S. withdrawal. Some additional lines of inquiry that Congress may wish to explore with the Executive Branch are included alongside specific topics as appropriate. The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .
2021-08-20
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated December 30, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the COVID-19 pandemic might have for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant and even profound implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy, and for the status of Congress as a co-equal branch relative to the executive branch in setting and overseeing the implementation of U.S. foreign and defense policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.
2020-12-30
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated December 14, 2020]
From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. Observers who argue the COVID-19 pandemic could be world-changing for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world have focused on several areas of potential change[.] [...] Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant and even profound implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy, and for the status of Congress as a co-equal branch relative to the executive branch in setting and overseeing the implementation of U.S. foreign and defense policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-; McInnis, Kathleen J.
2020-12-14
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U.S. Military Drawdown in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [February 4, 2021]
From the Summary: "In 2021, a year that will mark the twentieth anniversary of the entry of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, U.S. forces there are at the lowest level since 2001 due to the Trump Administration's reduction of U.S. forces to 2,500 and its conditional commitment to the Taliban to withdraw fully by April 2021. [...] U.S. commanders state that the reduction of U.S. troops to 2,500 will not result in any major changes to the two complementary U.S. missions in Afghanistan, namely counterterrorism and training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces. However, some have implied that the troop level might result in adjustments to U.S. operations and limits to U.S. options. [...] The February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement also commits the United States to withdrawing from Afghanistan all 'private security contractors,' which have played an important role in U.S. operations. The drawdown also has implications for U.S. physical assets in the country and the considerable U.S. diplomatic presence at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. [...] Experts have laid out a number of approaches that the Biden Administration, which is reportedly conducting a review of the U.S.-Taliban agreement and broader U.S. Afghanistan policy, might take in light of the U.S. troop drawdown. These include withdrawing all U.S. forces by April 2021 as scheduled, pausing or reversing the withdrawal pending certain Taliban actions, and indefinitely supporting Afghan forces. This report will be updated to reflect related developments or new considerations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); Gill, Cory R.; Hacker, Tyler F. . . .
2021-02-04
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated August 12, 2020]
From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; Moodie, Michael, 1948-; McInnis, Kathleen J.
2020-08-12
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated August 5, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and appendices listing CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Biden Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-08-05
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated July 13, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment. Other observers are more skeptical that the pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the pandemic might have for the international security environment, and appendices listing CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Biden Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Congress's decisions regarding these issues could have significant implications for U.S. foreign and defense policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-07-13
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National Security Council: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "On February 4, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed National Security Memorandum (NSM)- 2, 'Renewing the National Security Council System.' In it, the Biden Administration articulates how it intends to manage and coordinate national security issues among relevant departments and agencies. This report offers a brief historical overview of the formation of the National Security Council (NSC), clarifies the terms and structures associated with it, and provides a table of the NSC's current composition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; Rollins, John W.
2021-06-03
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Twenty Years of Military Operations in Afghanistan: Key Questions [September 27, 2021]
From the Document: "After 20 years of operations, training, investment and capacity building, the swift collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), followed by the Taliban's takeover of the country, is prompting debate on how such a significant strategic setback could take place. Many observers attribute such failures to the decisions made by the United States and its European and other partners at the time the Taliban was ousted from power in late 2001, including how to structure post-Taliban governance and Afghan security forces. The outcome of the campaign also provides an opportunity to reflect on how the U.S. military conducted its operations alongside its coalition partners, as well as the overall efficacy of the military as an instrument for achieving strategic goals. Section 1080 of H.R. 4350 (H.Rept. 117-118), the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, would establish a Commission on Afghanistan that would assess the war in Afghanistan and make recommendations to inform future operations. Senate action is pending."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew
2021-09-27
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Interim National Security Strategic Guidance [March 29, 2021]
From the Document: "On March 3, 2021, the White House released an Interim National Security Strategic Guidance (INSSG). This is the first time an administration has issued interim guidance; previous administrations refrained from issuing formal guidance that articulated strategic intent until producing the congressionally mandated National Security Strategy (NSS) (originating in the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 P.L. [public law] 99-433, §603/50 U.S.C §3043). The full NSS is likely to be released later in 2021 or early 2022. The INSSG states the Biden Administration's conceptual approach to national security matters as well as signaling its key priorities, particularly as executive branch departments and agencies prepare their Fiscal Year(FY) 2022 budget submissions. With respect to the latter, FY2022 will be the first budget prepared after the expiration of the budget caps required under the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. Details regarding how the Administration's conceptual approach will be implemented across different regions and functional issues are likely to be expressed in the full NSS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-03-29
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Afghanistan Withdrawal: Military and Defense Implications [August 17, 2021]
From the Document: "After a rapid Taliban campaign to capture cities and territories formerly controlled by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), on August 15, 2021, the Taliban took Kabul and the President of GIRoA, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country. Information regarding the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and U.S. troop numbers is fluid and should be treated with caution. This Insight, which may be updated as circumstances warrant, is intended to assist Congress as it considers the military and defense implications of the withdrawal while events unfold."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; Feickert, Andrew
2021-08-17
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U.S. Military Withdrawal and Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Frequently Asked Questions [Updated September 17, 2021]
From the Summary: "On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital of Kabul, completing a rapid takeover over the country with a speed that surprised many Afghans and Americans alike. The Taliban's advance came as the United States was completing the military withdrawal to which it agreed in the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban accord. The U.S. military and diplomatic withdrawal and evacuation operation concluded on August 30, 2021, with the departure of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The fall of the elected Afghan government, which had been supported by billions of dollars in U.S. assistance over the course of nearly two decades, raises significant questions about past, present, and future U.S. policy for Members of Congress. This report provides material related to select questions associated with U.S. policy in Afghanistan[.] [...] The report concludes with some strategic considerations Congress may wish to contemplate as it assesses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the future."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Clayton (Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs); McGarry, Brendan W.; McInnis, Kathleen J. . . .
2021-09-17
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment-- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated June 29, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects. This report provides a brief overview of some potential implications the COVID-19 pandemic might have for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world, and a bibliography of CRS [Congressional Research Service] reports and other writings for further reading. Issues for Congress may include whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic could change the international security environment, whether the Trump Administration's actions for responding to such change are appropriate and sufficient, and what implications such change could have for the role of Congress in setting and overseeing the execution of U.S. foreign and defense policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-06-29
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated May 27, 2020]
From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-05-27
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [Updated May 4, 2020]
From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-05-04
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COVID-19: Potential Implications for International Security Environment -- Overview of Issues and Further Reading for Congress [April 30, 2020]
From the Summary: "Some observers argue the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic could be a world-changing event with potentially profound and long-lasting implications for the international security environment and the U.S. role in the world. Other observers are more skeptical that the COVID-19 pandemic will have such effects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Moodie, Michael, 1948-
2020-04-30
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United States European Command: Overview and Key Issues [Updated August 4, 2020]
From the Document: "United States European Command (or EUCOM, pronounced 'YEW-com') is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and was established in 1952. Today its area of responsibility comprises 51 countries stretching from Portugal's Azores Islands to Iceland and Israel. USEUCOM's commander is currently U.S. Air Force General Tod Wolters, who is simultaneously the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR). During the Cold War, the European theater was a primary focus for U.S. defense and national security and EUCOM was focused almost exclusively on deterring, and if necessary defeating, the Soviet Union. At the height of the Cold War, there were more than 400,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to a withdrawal of the bulk of forward-deployed U.S. troops in the European theater. Decisions to do so were arguably based on a number of strategic assumptions held by successive administrations after the end of the Cold War, including that Europe could be stable, whole, and free; Russia could be a constructive partner in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture; and particularly prior to September 11, 2001, threats posed by terrorism and migration from the Middle East/North Africa region were limited."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.; McGarry, Brendan W.
2020-08-04
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U.S. Military Presence in Poland [Updated August 4, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Poland has been a major focus of U.S. and NATO efforts to deter potential Russian aggression in Europe. This is due in part to its geographic location on NATO's eastern flank, providing land access to the Baltic States. Although Ukraine is not a NATO ally, the Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and subsequent initiation of a separatist war in eastern Ukraine underscored to many observers that NATO allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, could once again be threatened by Moscow. In response, the United States and its NATO allies have undertaken a number of initiatives to emphasize NATO's collective defense agreements, thereby assuring allies of their own security while simultaneously deterring Russian aggression. Poland is a critical partner in these efforts. The United States has bolstered security in Central and Eastern Europe with an increased rotational military presence, additional exercises and training with allies and partners, improved infrastructure to allow greater responsiveness, enhanced prepositioning of U.S. equipment, and intensified efforts to build partner capacity for newer NATO members and non-NATO countries. The European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), launched in 2014 (originally called the European Reassurance Initiative), an Overseas Contingency Operations account in the U.S. defense budget, is the key fiscal mechanism by which it does so. U.S. military operational activities of EDI are executed as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). Approximately 6,000 U.S. military personnel are involved in OAR at any given time, with units typically operating in the region under a rotational nine-month deployment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Mix, Derek E.
2020-08-04
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Congress, Civilian Control of the Military, and Nonpartisanship [Updated June 11, 2020]
From the Document: "The possible use of federal armed forces as part of the U.S. executive branch's response to incidents of violence during racial justice protests has raised questions about how the military is controlled by domestic political institutions and the U.S. military's relationship with American society. Article I of the U.S. Constitution grants specific powers to Congress, making the legislative branch a key actor in governing, overseeing, and funding the U.S. military."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2020-06-11
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U.S. Military Presence in Poland [Updated July 2, 2020]
From the Introduction: "Poland has been a major focus of U.S. and NATO efforts to deter potential Russian aggression in Europe. This is due in part to its geographic location on NATO's eastern flank, providing land access to the Baltic states. Although Ukraine is not a NATO ally, the Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and subsequent initiation of a separatist war in eastern Ukraine underscored to many observers that NATO allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, could once again be threatened by Moscow. In response, the United States and its NATO allies have undertaken a number of initiatives to emphasize NATO's collective defense agreements, thereby assuring allies of their own security while simultaneously deterring Russian aggression. Poland is a critical partner in these efforts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew; McInnis, Kathleen J.; Mix, Derek E.
2020-07-02
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Defense Primer: The Department of Defense [Updated January 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The Department of Defense (DOD) was established after World War II through the 1947 National Security Act. At the time, some, including President Truman, took the view that the different components of the U.S. military had been insufficiently integrated to wage World War II effectively. The intention of the 1947 Act was therefore to create, for the first time, an integrated institution that combined the Departments of War and Navy, and to establish a policy architecture for overseeing the newly reorganized military apparatus. Over time, DOD has grown into one of the largest bureaucracies in the world, comprising over 3 million employees stationed across the United States and around the globe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McInnis, Kathleen J.
2021-01-15
