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Libya: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated July 11, 2008]
"This report provides background information on Libya and U.S.-Libyan relations; profiles Libyan leader Muammar al Qadhafi; discusses Libya's political and economic reform efforts; and reviews current issues of potential congressional interest. It will be updated to reflect major developments. […]Libyan-U.S. rapprochement has unfolded gradually since 2003 but remains delayed by disagreements over pending legal claims related to U.S. citizens killed or injured in past Libyan-sponsored or supported terrorist attacks. In 2003, the Libyan government accepted responsibility for the actions of its personnel in regard to the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and announced its decision to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction and long-range missile programs. In response, U.S. sanctions were gradually removed, and, on May 15, 2006, the Bush Administration announced its intention to restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and to rescind Libya's listing as a state sponsor of terrorism. Full diplomatic relations were restored on May 31, 2006 when the United States upgraded its Liaison Office in Tripoli to an Embassy. Libyan Foreign Minister Abd al Rahman Shalgam visited Washington in January 2008 and signed a bilateral scientific cooperation agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Christopher M.
2008-07-11
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Lebanon [Updated June 12, 2008]
"The outcome of the May 2008 fighting and the terms of the Doha agreement have been widely viewed as favorable to Hezbollah and its supporters insofar as the opposition secured the ability to veto government decisions. Government supporters argue that by maintaining their resistance to the political demands of Hezbollah and its allies through May 2008, they prevented the opposition from vetoing the Lebanese government's support for the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The tribunal will not begin its work until mid-2009 at the earliest. Throughout this turbulent period, the governments of the United States and Lebanon have continued to enjoy good relations. The Bush Administration requested and Congress appropriated a large increase in U.S. assistance in H.R. 2206 (P.L. 110- 28) to expand the capabilities of the Lebanese armed forces and to strengthen the government vis-a-vis Hezbollah and its allies. Prominent current bilateral issues include ongoing U.S. assistance to Lebanon, the Lebanese government's capacity to disarm Hezbollah and prevent further attacks on Israel, and the continuing investigation into the Hariri assassination. The United States supports Lebanon's independence and favored the end of Israeli and Syrian occupation of parts of Lebanon. This report will be updated to reflect significant events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell; Blanchard, Christopher M.
2008-06-12
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Computer Attack and Cyber Terrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress [October 17, 2003]
This report discusses possible cyber capabilities of terrorists and sponsoring nations, describes how computer security vulnerabilities might be exploited through a cyber terror attack, and raises some potential issues for Congress. This report presents a working definition for the term "cyber terrorism," plus background information describing how current technology and management processes may leave computers exposed to cyber attack, and a discussion of possible effects of a cyber attack. Potential issues for Congress are presented in the second section, including: whether appropriate guidance exists for a DOD information warfare response to a cyber attack; whether the need to detect possible cyber terrorist activity interferes with individual privacy; whether the roles and responsibilities for protecting against a possible cyber terrorist attack need more clarity for government, industry, and home users; and, whether information sharing on cyber threats and vulnerabilities must be further increased between private industry and the federal government. The final section describes possible policy options for improving protection against threats from possible cyber terrorism. Appendices to this report explain technologies underlying computer viruses, worms, and spyware, how these malicious programs enable cyber crime and cyber espionage, and how tactics currently used by computer hackers might also be employed by terrorists while planning a possible cyber terror attack.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilson, Clay
2003-10-17
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated August 22, 2003]
The Latin American and Caribbean region has made enormous strides over the past two decades in political development, with all countries but Cuba led by democratically-elected heads of state. Bush Administration officials maintain that U.S. policy toward Latin America has three overarching goals: strengthening security; promoting democracy and good governance; and stimulating economic development. In contrast, others maintain that the United States has an active policy toward Latin America and point to the considerable assistance and support provided to Colombia and its neighbors as they combat drug trafficking and terrorist groups. They also point to the momentum toward free trade in the region through negotiation of free trade agreements, and to increased bilateral and regional cooperation on security issues. With regard to trade, Congress approved implementing legislation for a bilateral free trade agreement with Chile in July 2003. Congressional oversight also may focus on negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, scheduled for completion in January 2005, and on negotiations for a free trade agreement with Central America. This report, which will be updated periodically, examines issues in U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing especially on the role of Congress and congressional concerns.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Veillette, Connie
2003-08-22
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Legislative Initiatives [Updated April 22, 2003]
Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro for much of the past 40 years. Major arguments made for lifting the Cuba travel ban are it hinders efforts to influence conditions in Cuba and may be aiding Castro by helping restrict the flow of information; it abridges the rights of ordinary Americans; and Americans can travel to other countries with communist or authoritarian governments. Major arguments in opposition to lifting the Cuba travel ban are American tourist travel would support Castro's rule by providing his government with millions of dollars in tourist receipts; there are legal provisions allowing travel to Cuba for humanitarian purposes that are used by thousands of Americans each year; and the President holds jurisdiction to restrict travel for foreign policy reasons.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2003-04-22
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Agricultural Trade in a U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) [October 31, 2003]
"This paper is about the negotiation of an open market access for agricultural products in a free trade agreement between the United States and 5 Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) which, has been contentious and difficult. With December 2003 set as the target date for concluding an agreement, both sides now face wrestling with how to transition their most sensitive agricultural commodities and food products (protected by high tariffs, restrictive quotas, or other barriers) towards free trade. In their October negotiating session, both sides exchanged market access offers on all (including sensitive) agricultural products, and agreed on immediate access for most horticultural products. The most difficult issues dealing with sensitive products were deferred to the December negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jurenas, Remy
2003-10-31
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Africa's Great Lakes Region: Current Conditions in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda
"The Great Lakes region is slowly becoming more stable after almost a decade of conflicts. The region remains vulnerable, however, since armed rebel groups are active in eastern Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and northern Uganda. This report discusses the problems that persist in this area to this date."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
2003-10-28
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Defense Research: DoD's Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Program [Updated October 1, 2003]
In its FY2004 budget proposal, the Bush Administration requested $380 billion for the Department of Defense, including $61.8 billion in Title IV Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding. This year's RDT&E request is $5 billion more than the amount available for RDT&E in FY2003, and represents the largest single-year request in constant dollars going back to FY1962. The Administration requested $7.7 billion in research and development for missile defenses, $1 billion more than what is available in FY2003. The Senate voted to authorize $63.1 billion on RDT&E, including $10.7 billion on S&T ($1.4 billion of which would go toward basic research).
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2003-10-01
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International Terrorism in South Asia [November 3, 2003]
"This report reviews the international terrorist environment in South Asia,
concentrating on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. With U.S.-led counterterrorism efforts focused especially on Southwest Asia, the existence of international terrorist groups and their supporters in South Asia is identified as a threat to both regional stability and to the attainment of key U.S. policy goals. Al Qaeda forces that fled from Afghanistan with their Taliban supporters remain active on Pakistani territory, and Al Qaeda is believed to have links with indigenous Pakistani terrorist groups that have conducted anti-Western attacks and that support separatist militancy in Indian Kashmir. A significant portion of Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun population is reported to sympathize
with the Taliban and even Al Qaeda. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2003-11-03
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Kosovo and U.S. Policy: Background to Independence [Updated June 20, 2008]
From the Document: "Close to nine years after NATO intervened militarily in the southern Serbian province of Kosovo, Kosovo declared itself an independent and sovereign state on February 17, 2008. A new Kosovo constitution came into force on June 15. These developments marked a new stage in, but not the end of, international concern and engagement in the western Balkan region. Serbia strenuously objects to and does not recognize Kosovo's independence. […]The United States, in concert with European members of the international contact group, continues to shape international policy on Kosovo. The United States has committed peacekeeping troops to Kosovo since 1999, and currently maintains around 1,600 troops with KFOR [Kosovo Force]. The Bush Administration warmly welcomed Kosovo's independence declaration in February 2008. In the 110th Congress, some introduced resolutions have addressed the prospect of Kosovo's independence. For additional information on post-independence developments in Kosovo, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21721, Kosovo's Independence and U.S. Policy, by Steven Woehrel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.; Kim, Julie
2008-06-20
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Pandemic Influenza: An Analysis of State and Local Preparedness and Response Plans [September 24, 2007]
This Congressional Research Service report "describes an approach to the analysis of state pandemic plans, and presents the findings of that analysis. State plans that were available in July 2006 were analyzed in eight topical areas: (1) leadership and coordination; (2) surveillance and laboratory activities; (3) vaccine management; (4) antiviral drug management; (5) other disease control activities; (6) communications; (7) healthcare services; and (8) other essential services. A history of federal funding and requirements for state pandemic planning is provided in an Appendix. This analysis is not intended to grade or rank individual state pandemic plans or capabilities. Rather, its findings indicate that a number of challenges remain in assuring pandemic preparedness, and suggest areas that may merit added emphasis in future planning efforts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Stockdale, Holly
2007-09-24
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Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflict [May 23, 2003]
"The May 12, 2003, suicide bombings of three Western housing compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reopened questions about the strength and viability of Al Qaeda in the post-Iraq conflict environment. The apprehension of a number of senior Al Qaeda leaders in recent months, combined with the absence of major terrorist attacks during the military campaign in Iraq, had led some to believe that Al Qaeda was severely crippled and unable to launch major attacks. Others argued that the organization was in transition to a more decentralized structure, had gained new recruits, and might even be a growing threat. This report analyzes current viewpoints about the state of Al Qaeda and the threat it poses to the United States. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cronin, Audrey Kurth, 1958-
2003-05-23
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Food Safety and Protection Issues in the 107th Congress [Updated August 28, 2002]
From the Summary: "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), sets and enforces standards for safety of all domestic and imported foods, except for meat, poultry, and certain egg products. At issue for many years has been (1) whether the FDA has sufficient statutory authority over the food industry to bring about continued improvements in food safety and to take enforcement actions, and (2) whether the FDA has sufficient resources and personnel to inspect the volume of food it regulates. In addition to these ongoing concerns, the terrorist attacks and anthrax scares of fall 2001 have raised worries about the FDA's (and USDA's) readiness to prevent and respond to potential bioterrorist attacks on the nation's food supply. Congress maintains close oversight of the FDA's food safety activities, particularly its efforts to address the issue of microbiological contamination, which is responsible for an estimated 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. On January 10, 2002, the President signed a $20 billion Defense supplemental bill into law that includes $328 million for USDA and $151.1 million for FDA food protection activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vogt, Donna U.; Rawson, Jean M.
2002-08-28
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Arming Pilots against Terrorism: Implementation Issues for the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program [Updated March 25, 2003]
"The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296, H.R. 5005) contains provisions to arm pilots of passenger aircraft and gives deputized pilots the authority to use force, including lethal force, to defend the flight deck against criminal and terrorist threats. Participation in the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, established under the Arming Pilots against Terrorism Act contained in P.L. 107-296, is limited to pilots of air carriers providing passenger air transportation or intrastate passenger air transportation. Pilots of cargo air carriers may not participate in the program. However, legislation (H.R. 765; S. 516; amendment to S. 165 by Sen. Boxer) seeks to include all-cargo air carrier pilots in the program. During debate over legislation to arm pilots, proponents argued that the potential benefits of deterring or thwarting terrorist and criminal acts against passenger aircraft outweighed the inherent risks associated with arming pilots. However, opponents of policy allowing pilots to be armed with lethal weapons argued that such a program's safety risks and monetary costs significantly outweighed these potential benefits. Risks cited included potential distraction to the flight crew, dangers that a weapon discharge could pose to the aircraft or its occupants, and security concerns associated with carrying firearms in secured areas of the aviation system. Proponents countered that these risks could be effectively mitigated, but recognized that these are important issues to be addressed for successful implementation of the policy to arm pilots."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elias, Bartholomew
2003-03-25
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Maritime Security Program (MSP) in an International Commercial Context: A Discussion [Updated October 28, 1998]
"The Maritime Security Program (MSP) is a national defense sealift program that provides commercial assistance to ocean ship operators, primarily containership operators. A rationale for the commercial assistance is to assure a continuing presence of U.S.-flag ships in international trade. Another rationale is to assure, in the event of a national defense need, the availability of an adequate number of trained and experienced ship personnel who are U.S. citizens to operate these and other ships. This report discusses the MSP in an international commercial context. Maritime policies of other nations may adversely affect the U.S.-flag containership industry. These policies could be addressed in international negotiations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thompson, Stephen J.
1998-10-28
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Air Force KC-767 Lease Proposal: Key Issues For Congress [Updated September 2, 2003]
"The Air Force wishes to replace its KC-135E aircraft by leasing 100 new Boeing KC-767 tankers. The Air Force indicates that leasing is preferred because it will result in faster deliveries than outright purchasing. Air Force leaders argue that a lease will allow them to husband scarce procurement dollars by making a small down payment. Although Congress authorized the proposed lease in the FY2002 DOD Appropriations Act, it stipulated that the defense oversight committees must approve the lease - only the Senate Armed Services Committee has yet to approve."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bolkcom, Christopher C.
2003-09-02
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [December 31, 2008]
"The Bush Administration has characterized Iran as a 'profound threat to U.S. national security interests,' a perception generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program and its military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Palestinian group Hamas, and to Lebanese Hezbollah. The Bush Administration's approach has been to try to prevent a nuclear breakout by Iran by applying coordinated international economic pressure on Iran while also offering it potential cooperation should it comply with the international demands to suspend its enrichment of uranium. The incorporation of diplomacy and engagement into the overall U.S. strategy led the Administration to approve the participation of a high-level State Department official at multilateral nuclear talks with Iran on July 19, 2008, although that meeting, and subsequent discussions, have not resulted in Iran's acceptance of the international offer of incentives. [...]. Amid widespread recognition that most U.S. goals on Iran have not been accomplished, the incoming Obama Administration, based on statements from President-elect Obama, is likely to shift toward more consistent engagement with Iran and to de-emphasize potential U.S. military action or efforts to promote democracy in Iran. Yet, there is a vigorous debate among experts over whether such shifts would yield clearer results. The policy decisions come as Iran enters its runup to June 2009 presidential elections, which most U.S. experts hope will produce change to more moderate leadership in Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-12-31
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Marine Protected Areas: An Overview [Updated November 14, 2008]
"There continues to be congressional interest in limiting human activity in certain areas of the marine environment, as one response to mounting evidence of declining environmental quality and populations of living resources. The purposes of proposed additional limits would be both to stem declines and to permit the rehabilitation of these environments and populations. One method of implementing this concept is for Congress to designate areas where activities would be limited, often referred to as marine protected areas (MPAs). Translating the MPA approach into a national program, however, would require that Congress resolve many economic, ecological, and social dilemmas. The complexity of creating a program is compounded by controversy over the uses that would be allowed, curtailed, or prohibited in MPAs; the purposes of a system of MPAs; and the location, size, and distribution of MPA units. One possible way to get past some of these complexities is to think of MPA designations as a form of zoning in the ocean. Experiences related to designating MPAs in other countries also may be instructive. However, questions have arisen about the effectiveness of administration and enforcement, the benefits and costs of MPAs, and the evaluation of outcomes at some sites. Numerous marine sites have been designated by federal and state governments for some kind of protection. Perhaps the best-known federal sites are units in the National Marine Sanctuary System."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Buck, Eugene H.; Upton, Harold F. (Harold Frank)
2008-11-14
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Federal Evacuation Policy: Issues for Congress [November 12, 2008]
"When government officials become aware of an impending disaster they may take steps to protect citizens before the incident occurs. Evacuation of the geographic area that may be affected is an option to ensure public safety. If implemented properly, evacuation can be an effective strategy for saving lives. Evacuations and decisions to evacuate, however, can also entail complex factors and elevated risks. Decisions to evacuate may require officials to balance potentially costly, hazardous, or unnecessary evacuations against the possibility of loss of life due to a delayed order to evacuate. Some observers of evacuations, notably that from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, claim evacuations pose unique challenges to certain segments of society. From their perspective, special-needs populations, the transit-dependent, and individuals with pets faced particular hardships associated with the storm. This, they claim, is because some evacuation plans, and the way in which they were carried out, appeared to inadequately address their particular circumstances or needs. In responding to these challenges, Then-senator Obama introduced S. 1685 in the 109th Congress which would have directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that each state provided detailed and comprehensive information regarding its pre-disaster and post-disaster plans for the evacuation of individuals with special needs in emergencies. President-elect Obama indicated during his campaign that he would continue to pursue similar evacuation polices. Another facet of evacuation is sheltering displaced individuals. For short-term sheltering, federally provided resources include food, water, cots, and essential toiletries. When displaced individuals need long-term sheltering, federal policy provides financial assistance for alternative accommodations such as apartments, motels and hotels, recreational vehicles, and modular units. [...]This report discusses federal evacuation policy and analyzes potential lessons learned from the evacuation of individuals from Hurricane Katrina. Several issue areas that might arise concerning potential lawmaking and oversight on evacuation policy are also highlighted. This report will be updated as significant legislative or administrative changes occur."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.
2008-11-12
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Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo Detainees' Right to Habeas Corpus
This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service on the rights of habeas corpus of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. "In the consolidated cases of Boumediene v. Bush and Al Odah v. United States, decided June 12, 2008, the Supreme Court held in a 5-4 opinion that aliens designated as enemy combatants and detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have the constitutional privilege of habeas corpus. The Court also found that § 7 of the Military Commissions Act (MCA), which limited judicial review of executive determinations of the petitioners' enemy combatant status, did not provide an adequate habeas substitute and therefore acted as an unconstitutional suspension of the writ of habeas. The immediate impact of the Boumediene decision is that detainees at Guantanamo may petition a federal district court for habeas review of the circumstances of their detention. This report summarizes the Boumediene decision and analyzes several of its major implications for the U.S. detention of alien enemy combatants and legislation that limits detainees' access to judicial review. For discussion of litigation challenging detention policy, see CRS Report RL33180, Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court, by Jennifer K. Elsea, Michael John Garcia, and Kenneth R. Thomas."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garcia, Michael John
2008-09-08
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Department of Defense Role in Foreign Assistance: Background, Major Issues, and Options for Congress [Updated December 9, 2008]
"The Department of Defense (DOD) has long played a role in U.S. efforts to assist foreign populations, militaries, and governments. The use of DOD to provide foreign assistance stems in general from the perception that DOD can contribute unique or vital capabilities and resources because it possesses the manpower, materiel, and organizational assets to respond to international needs. Over the years, Congress has helped shape the DOD role by providing DOD with its mandate for such activities through a wide variety of authorities. The historical DOD role in foreign assistance can be regarded as serving three purposes: responding to humanitarian and basic needs, building foreign military capacity and capabilities, and strengthening foreign governments' ability to deal with internal and international threats through state-building measures. The United States and the U.S. military benefit from DOD foreign assistance activities in several ways. U.S. diplomacy benefits from the U.S. military's capacity to project itself rapidly into extreme situations, such as disasters and other humanitarian emergencies, enhancing the U.S. image as a humanitarian actor. Humanitarian assistance, military training, and other forms of assistance also provide opportunities to cultivate good relations with foreign populations, militaries, and governments. U.S. military personnel have long viewed such activities as opportunities to interact with foreign militaries as part of their professional development. Since the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001, DOD training of military forces and provision of security assistance have been an important means to enable foreign militaries to conduct peacekeeping operations and to support coalition operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2008-12-09
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Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated October 10, 2008]
This CRS report discusses critical infrastructure policy. "Following the events of September 11, the Bush Administration released Executive Order 13228, signed October 8, 2001, establishing the Office of Homeland Security. Among its duties, the Office shall 'coordinate efforts to protect the United States and its critical infrastructure from the consequences of terrorist attacks.' In November 2002, Congress passed legislation creating a Department of Homeland Security. Among its responsibilities is overall coordination of critical infrastructure protection activities. In December 2003, the Bush Administration released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, reiterating and expanding upon infrastructure protection policy and responsibilities. In June 2006, the Bush Administration released a National Infrastructure Protection Plan. This Plan presents the process by which the Department of Homeland Security intends to identify those specific assets most critical to the United States, across all sectors, based on the risk associated with their loss to attack or natural disaster, and then to prioritize activities aimed at maximizing the reduction of those risks for a given investment. This report discusses in more detail the evolution of a national critical infrastructure policy and the institutional structures established to implement it. The report highlights five issues of Congressional concern: identifying critical assets; assessing vulnerabilities and risks; allocating resources; information sharing; and, regulation. This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2008-10-10
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In Re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001: Dismissals of Claims Against Saudi Defendants Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) [October 29, 2008]
"In response to congressional inquiries, this report summarizes the FSIA and jurisdiction in cases against foreign defendants and analyzes the recent court of appeals decision. […] Practical and legal hurdles, including the difficulty of locating hidden al Qaeda members and the infeasibility of enforcing judgments in terrorism cases, hinder victims' attempts to establish liability in U.S. courts against, and recover financially from, those they argue are directly responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks. […] Within the consolidated case In Re Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, one such group of defendants was the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, several Saudi princes, a Saudi banker, and a Saudi charity. Plaintiffs argued that these Saudi defendants funded groups that, in turn, assisted the attackers. […] In August 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed dismissals of all claims against the Saudi defendants, holding that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over the claims. Specifically, the court of appeals held that in this case, U.S. courts lack: 1) subject matter jurisdiction over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, because the Kingdom is entitled to immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (the FSIA) and no statutory exception to immunity applies; 2) subject matter jurisdiction over the Saudi charity and Saudi princes acting in their official capacities, because they are 'agents or instrumentalities' of the Kingdom and thus, under the FSIA, are entitled to immunity to the same extent as the Kingdom itself; and 3) personal jurisdiction over Saudi princes sued in their personal capacities, because the princes had insufficient interactions with the forum to satisfy the 'minimum contacts' standard for personal jurisdiction under the Fifth Amendment due process clause."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Henning, Anna C.
2008-10-29
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coverage of Contagious Diseases
"The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§12101 et seq., provides broad nondiscrimination protection for individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications. As stated in the act, its purpose is 'to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.' Due to concern about the spread of highly contagious diseases such as epidemic influenza1 and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), questions have been raised about the application of the ADA in such situations. This report briefly discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act's statutory provisions relating to contagious diseases and relevant judicial interpretations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jones, Nancy Lee
2008-10-15
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Financial Turmoil: Comparing the Troubled Asset Relief Program to the Federal Reserve's Response [October 8, 2008]
This CRS report examines the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the Federal Reserve's response. "As financial conditions have deteriorated over the past year, the Federal Reserve (Fed) has greatly increased its lending to financial firms. It has also expanded the scope of eligible borrowers to include non-bank financial firms. As of October 1, 2008, the Fed had loans of $559 billion outstanding, compared with less than $1 billion outstanding one year earlier. In addition, it has provided financial assistance to Bear Stearns and American International Group (AIG). Some have asked why these loans have not restored financial stability, and if the purchase of up to $700 billion of distressed assets through the recently enacted Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) might lead to a different result. H.R. 1424, signed into law on October 3 (P.L. 110-343), authorizes the creation of TARP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2008-10-08
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Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe [Updated September 3, 2008]
This report discusses the implications for relations with Russia, the cost and placement of the Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe. From the report: "Successive administrations have urged the creation of an anti-missile system to protect against long-range ballistic missile threats from rogue states. The Bush Administration believes that North Korea and Iran are strategic threats and questions whether they can be deterred by conventional means. The Administration's policy position on this issue remains unchanged after a recent reassessment that the Iranian nuclear weapons program was halted in 2003. The Administration has built long-range missile defense bases in Alaska and California to protect against North Korean missile threats. Although the system has been tested, most agree that further testing is necessary. The Administration proposed deploying a ground-based mid-course defense (GMD) element of the larger Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) in Europe to defend against an Iranian missile threat. The system would include 10 interceptors in Poland, a radar in the Czech Republic, and another radar deployed in a country closer to Iran to be completed by 2013 at a cost now of about $4.8 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hildreth, Steven A.; Ek, Carl
2008-09-03
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Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline: Status and Current Policy Issues [September 12, 2008]
"This report provides a brief review of efforts to develop and construct a natural gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay, a status report on recent efforts to proceed, and an analysis of major relevant policy issues." "On August 27, 2008, the governor of Alaska signed legislation awarding a license to TransCanada Alaska (TransCanada) to permit, develop, and build a natural gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the gas market hub in Alberta, Canada, with $500 million of state support. Since the discovery of significant oil and gas reserves in Prudhoe Bay in 1968, Alaska state and federal policymakers have sought to accelerate bringing these important energy resources to market, especially to market in the lower-48 states. The Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began shipping crude oil from Prudhoe Bay in 1978. Efforts to build a gas pipeline still have achieved little progress 30 years later. […].The State of Alaska has pursued the natural gas pipeline development with a sense of urgency for several years. In 2001, Alaska established an interagency task force to move forward with a pipeline. The administration immediately preceding the current governor reached a controversial agreement with the Prudhoe Bay producers (ExxonMobil, BP, ConocoPhillips). The current governor proceeded with a new initiative, the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) that has led to the August 27 signing mentioned earlier. […]. Many challenges remain at this time. The key parties, however, appear constructively engaged in the effort to make available this significant energy supply option."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hederman, William F.
2008-09-12
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Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Authorizations and Corresponding Appropriations
"The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-195; 22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) serves as the cornerstone for the United States' foreign assistance policies and programs. Written, passed, and signed into law at what some consider the height of the Cold War, the Act is seen by some today as anachronistic. Ironically, when President Kennedy urged the 87th Congress to enact foreign aid legislation that would exemplify and advance the national interests and security strategies of the United States post-World War II, he described the existing foreign aid mechanisms as bureaucratic, fragmented, awkward, and slow. Some have used the same language today, nearly 50 years later, to characterize the legislation he promoted. There are indications that the 111th Congress may visit the issue of amending the current body of law that comprises foreign aid policy, starting with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. This report presents the executive branch authorities of that Act, and correlates those authorities with the operative appropriations measure (P.L. 110-161, as continued by P.L. 110-329) that funds those authorities. For many years, annual foreign aid appropriations measures have waived the requirement that funds must be authorized before they are appropriated and expended. Understanding the relation between the authorities in the cornerstone Act and the appropriations is key to any consideration of reforming foreign aid legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.
2008-12-15
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Amber Alert Program Technology [September 9, 2009]
"Amber Alerts (also referred to as AMBER plans) use technology to disseminate information about child abductions in a timely manner. Research has found that most abducted children murdered by their kidnappers are killed within three hours of the abduction. Prompt response to child abductions is therefore deemed critical by many. Amber Alert plans are voluntary partnerships including law enforcement agencies, highway departments, and communications companies that provide emergency alerts. Technologies used for alerts include the Emergency Alert System (EAS), highway messages boards, telephone alert systems, the Internet, text messaging, and e-mail. Over 100 communities have Amber Alert programs, and all 50 states have statewide alert plans. Because kidnappers can cross state lines with their victims, the Department of Justice will often be involved in responding to an abduction. For this and other reasons, there is increased federal involvement in and support of Amber Alert plans. This report deals with technology and related policy issues. Other CRS reports discuss protective programs for minors and current legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2009-09-09
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated October 8, 2008]
This is an updated report from the Congressional Research Service about security threats from Iran and policy responses. "The Bush Administration characterizes Iran as a 'profound threat to U.S. national security interests,' a perception generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program and its military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Palestinian group Hamas, and to Lebanese Hezbollah. [...] The Bush Administration approach to contain the potential threat posed by Iran's nuclear program is to strengthen international economic pressure on Iran while also offering Iran potential cooperation should it comply with the international demands to suspend its enrichment of uranium. [...] A new U.N. Security Council resolution is being considered, although progress reportedly has been slowed by U.S.-Russia tensions over Georgia. A previous three U.N. resolutions (1737, 1747, and 1803) impose sanctions that ban weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related trade with Iran; freeze the assets of Iran's nuclear and related entities and personalities; prevent Iran from transferring arms outside Iran; ban or require reporting on international travel by named Iranians; call for inspections of some Iranian sea and airborne cargo shipments; and call for restrictions on dealings with some Iranian banks. [...] The Administration strongly denies that it is planning to take military action against Iran, but has refused to rule it out if no other efforts to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program succeed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-10-08
