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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [January 5, 2011]
"After experiencing serious unrest during the late 1990s, Bahrain undertook several steps to enhance the inclusion of the Shiite majority in governance. However, the Sunni-led government's efforts to maintain its tight grip on power stirred new unrest among Bahraini Shiites in advance of October 23, 2010, parliamentary elections. That election, no matter the outcome, would not have produced a new executive, but the Shiite population was hoping that winning a majority in the elected lower house could give it greater authority with which to challenge the ruling Al Khalifa family. In advance of the elections, the government launched a wave of arrests intended to try to discredit some of the hardline Shiite leadership as tools of Iran. The crackdown contributed to increasing Shiite popular protests in advance of the elections. The main Shiite faction, an Islamist group called 'Wifaq' (Accord), won one more seat than it did in the 2006 election but still ended up short of a majority (18 out of the 40 seats) in the elected lower house. […] Bahrain is generally poorer than most of the other Persian Gulf monarchies, in large part because Bahrain has largely run out of crude oil reserves. It has tried to compensate through diversification, particularly in the banking sector and some manufacturing. In September 2004, the United States and Bahrain signed a free trade agreement (FTA); legislation implementing it was signed January 11, 2006 (P.L. 109-169)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2011-01-05
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Southwest Border Violence: Issues in Identifying and Measuring Spillover Violence [August 24, 2010]
"There has been a recent increase in the level of drug trafficking-related violence within and between the drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. This violence has generated concern among U.S. policy makers that the violence in Mexico might spill over into the United States. Currently, U.S. federal officials deny that the recent increase in drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico has resulted in a spillover into the United States, but they acknowledge that the prospect is a serious concern. The most recent threat assessment indicates that the Mexican drug trafficking organizations pose the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States, and this threat is driven partly by U.S. demand for drugs. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the major suppliers and key producers of most illegal drugs smuggled into the United States across the Southwest border (SWB). The nature of the conflict between the Mexican drug trafficking organizations in Mexico has manifested itself, in part, as a struggle for control of these smuggling routes into the United States. Further, in an illegal marketplace--such as that of illicit drugs--where prices and profits are elevated due to the risks of operating outside the law, violence or the threat of violence becomes the primary means for settling disputes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lake, Jennifer E.; Franco, Celinda; Finklea, Kristin M.
2010-08-24
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Southwest Border Violence: Issues in Identifying and Measuring Spillover Violence [February 16, 2010]
"There has been a recent increase in the level of drug trafficking-related violence within and between the drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. This violence has generated concern among U.S. policy makers that the violence in Mexico might spill over into the United States. Currently, U.S. federal officials deny that the recent increase in drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico has resulted in a spillover into the United States, but they acknowledge that the prospect is a serious concern. The most recent threat assessment indicates that the Mexican drug trafficking organizations pose the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States, and this threat is driven partly by U.S. demand for drugs. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the major suppliers and key producers of most illegal drugs smuggled into the United States across the Southwest border (SWB). The nature of the conflict between the Mexican drug trafficking organizations in Mexico has manifested itself, in part, as a struggle for control of these smuggling routes into the United States. Further, in an illegal marketplace--such as that of illicit drugs--where prices and profits are elevated due to the risks of operating outside the law, violence or the threat of violence becomes the primary means for settling disputes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lake, Jennifer E.; Eddy, Mark; Finklea, Kristin M.
2010-02-16
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Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated June 4, 2009]
"The current state of affairs in Sri Lanka presents the United States and the international community with several key challenges. Chief among these is how to help the government of Sri Lanka to win the peace now that it has won the war against (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)LTTE forces in the field. Many observers feel that the manner in which the post conflict period is addressed will have a great impact on the degree to which the grievances of the Tamil minority can be put to rest. A policy that would address these grievances is perceived by many to be more likely to avert a resurgence of conflict than one that ignores or exacerbates them. Another key challenge is how to recast foreign aid to assist those in need and those displaced by the civil war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2009-06-04
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Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated April 9, 2003]
"This report provides historical, political, and economic background on Sri Lanka and examines U.S.-Sri Lankan relations and policy concerns. Congressional interest in Sri Lanka focuses on the current peace process that seeks to end a two-decade-old civil war, terrorist activity, human rights, and U.S. appropriations for food, economic, and military assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2003-04-09
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Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated August 1, 2006]
"Sri Lanka is a constitutional democracy with relatively high educational and social standards. Under Sri Lanka's hybrid parliamentary model, an elected president appoints the cabinet in consultation with the prime minister. The country's political, social, and economic development has been seriously constrained by ethnic conflict between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil ethnic groups. Since 1983, a separatist war costing some 66,000 lives has been waged against government forces by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a rebel group that has been seeking to establish a separate state in the Tamil-dominated areas of the north and east. A Norwegian-brokered peace process produced some notable successes, though it was suspended by the LTTE in the spring of 2003 due to differences over interim administration arrangements. In February 2002, a permanent ceasefire was reached and generally was until 2006 generally observed by both sides. In September 2002, the government in Colombo and the LTTE held their first peace talks in seven years, with the LTTE indicating that it was willing to accept autonomy rather than independence for Tamil-majority regions. The two sides agreed in principle to seek a solution through a federal structure. However, LTTE leader Prabakaran has stated that there may be a return to fighting. At the end of October 2003, the LTTE submitted to the government a proposal for establishing an interim administration in the Northeast. The period from 2004 to early 2005 has witnessed increasing instability within the ranks of both the Sinhalese government and the LTTE which has led to increasing concern over the future of the peace process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2006-08-01
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Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated January 22, 2008]
"Sri Lanka is a constitutional democracy with relatively high educational and social standards. Political, social, and economic development has, however, been seriously constrained by ethnic conflict between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil ethnic groups. Since 1983, a separatist war costing at least 70,000 lives has been waged against government forces by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a rebel group that seeks to establish a separate state or internal self-rule in the Tamil-dominated areas of the North and East. The United States designated the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 and demands the Tigers lay down their arms and foreswear the use of force before that status can change. A Norwegian-brokered peace process begun in the late 1990s produced a February 2002 "permanent" ceasefire agreement. The Colombo government and the LTTE held their first peace talks in seven years in 2002, with the rebels indicating they were willing to accept autonomy rather than independence for Tamil-majority regions. The two sides agreed in principle to seek a solution through a federal structure. Yet the period 2004-2005 witnessed increasing instability within the ranks of both the Colombo government and the LTTE. This was exacerbated by wrangling over administration of foreign aid in response to a massive December 2004 tidal wave that killed up to 35,000 citizens in Sri Lanka's worst-ever natural disaster."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2008-01-22
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Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated August 15, 2007]
"Sri Lanka is a constitutional democracy with relatively high educational and social standards. Political, social, and economic development has, however, been seriously constrained by ethnic conflict between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil ethnic groups. Since 1983, a separatist war costing some 70,000 lives has been waged against government forces by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a rebel group that seeks to establish a separate state in the Tamil-dominated areas of the North and East. A Norwegian-brokered peace process produced a February 2002 'permanent' ceasefire agreement. This generally was honored by both parties until 2006, when major violence flared anew. The Colombo government and the LTTE had held their first peace talks in seven years in September 2002, with the LTTE indicating that it was willing to accept autonomy rather than independence for Tamil-majority regions. The two sides agreed in principle to seek a solution through a federal structure and, in October 2003, the LTTE submitted to the government a proposal for establishing an interim administration in the Northeast. The period from 2004-2005 witnessed increasing instability within the ranks of both the Colombo government and the LTTE. Such political discord itself contributed to a weakening of the peace process. Political rivalry between the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) has hindered peace efforts. In late 2003, then-SLFP President Kumaratunga suspended parliament and declared an emergency while then-UNP Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was in Washington seeking U.S. support for the peace process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2007-08-15
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Southwest Border Violence: Issues in Identifying and Measuring Spillover Violence [February 28, 2013]
"There has been an elevated level of drug trafficking-related violence within and between the drug trafficking organizations in Mexico. This violence has generated concern among U.S. policy makers that the violence in Mexico might spill over into the United States. U.S. federal officials have denied that the increase in drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico has resulted in a spillover into the United States, but they acknowledge that the prospect is a serious concern. The most recent threat assessment indicates that the Mexican drug trafficking organizations pose the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States, and this threat is driven partly by U.S. demand for drugs. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the major suppliers and key producers of most illegal drugs smuggled into the United States across the Southwest border (SWB). The nature of the conflict between the Mexican drug trafficking organizations in Mexico has manifested itself, in part, as a struggle for control of these smuggling routes into the United States. Further, in an illegal marketplace--such as that of illicit drugs--where prices and profits are elevated due to the risks of operating outside the law, violence or the threat of violence becomes the primary means for settling disputes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.
2013-02-28
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Center for Homeland Defense and Security Annual Report [2020]
"This Annual Report encompasses a year in which we faced unprecedented threats to our nation's defense and security--from devastating wildfires and a record number of Atlantic hurricanes to increasing domestic terrorism and a global pandemic that forced us to adapt the way we live our lives and perform our jobs. The need for educational content in the homeland security sphere has never been greater. In light of travel restrictions, shelter-in-place orders, and concern for program participants, CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] transitioned its academic programs, Executive Education seminars, and short courses to online remote delivery in March. This allowed our programs to safely run uninterrupted throughout the COVID-19 crisis while participants performed their jobs on the frontlines of the national response at the local, state, tribal, territorial, federal, and private-sector levels. [...] Our diverse community of students, alumni, and faculty have a unique perspective on the wicked problems confronting homeland security and public health today. They also know that the most difficult challenges can often yield the greatest solutions through collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn. If the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health threat we've faced, then it is also the ultimate opportunity from which to learn. The CHDS community has created curricula, resources, and facilitated workshops that have improved relationships, strategies, and policies across the nation. As the vaccine distributions increase and positivity rates decrease, we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. We will get there together, and we will be successful due to your contributions. Thank you for your continued dedication as we strive to recover from the pandemic."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2020
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Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [July 29, 2009]
This Congressional Research Report "outlines challenges faced by Tajikistan since its five-year civil war ended in 1997. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests, updated regularly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2009-07-29
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Tajikistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [February 10, 2011]
"The civil war had further set back economic development in the country. The economy recovered to its Soviet-era level by the early 2000s, and GDP had expanded several times by the late 2000s, despite setbacks associated with the global economic downturn. Poverty remains widespread, however, and the infrastructure for healthcare, education, transportation, and energy faces steep developmental needs, according to some observers. The country continues to face problems of political integration, perhaps evidenced in part by recent violence in eastern Tajikistan. The country also faces substantial threats from terrorism and narcotics trafficking from Afghanistan. The United States has been Tajikistan's largest bilateral donor, budgeting $778.6 million of aid for Tajikistan (FREEDOM Support Act and agency budgets) over the period from fiscal year 1992 through fiscal year 2008, mainly for food and other humanitarian needs. Budgeted assistance for FY2009 was $35.8 million, and estimated assistance was $48.3 million in FY2010. The Administration requested $47.1 million in foreign assistance for Tajikistan in FY2011 (these FY2009-FY2011 figures exclude most Defense and Energy Department programs). After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, Tajikistan seemed to be willing to cooperate with the United States, but hesitated to do so without permission from Moscow. However, Tajikistan had long supported the Afghan Northern Alliance's combat against the Taliban. Perhaps after gauging Russia's views, Tajikistan soon offered use of Tajik airspace to U.S. forces, and some coalition forces began to transit through Tajik airspace and airfields. U.S., French, and British personnel have used the Dushanbe airport for refueling, and there are some French troops and some aircraft based at Dushanbe."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2011-02-10
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Sudan [Updated January 17, 2019]
"When unified (1956-2011), Sudan was Africa's largest country by area, and the site of its longest-running civil war. In 2011, after decades of fighting broadly described as a conflict between the predominately Muslim 'Arab' north and 'African' south, Sudan split in two. The split did not resolve other conflicts, in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile. Overlapping struggles between security forces and armed groups, nomadic and farming communities, and among ethnic groups have caused extensive displacement and suffering. Across Sudan, economic pressures, social tensions, and dissent present challenges for the Islamist government of President Omar al Bashir, who came to power in a 1989 coup. Nationwide anti-government protests in early 2019 suggest growing pressure for regime change."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch
2019-01-17
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [February 5, 2014]
"The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation provides annual funding for almost all of the international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function (the major exception being food assistance). The legislation has also served as a vehicle for Congress to place conditions on the expenditure of those funds, and express its views regarding certain foreign policy issues. This report briefly discusses the legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division K, 'Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014,' of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. [Public Law] 113-76)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt; Tiersky, Alex L.
2014-02-05
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State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law: From the Mid-1990s to the Present [August 1, 2016]
"States and localities can have significant interest in the manner and extent to which federal officials enforce provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding the exclusion and removal of unauthorized aliens. Some states and localities, concerned that federal enforcement disrupts families and communities, or infringes upon human rights, have adopted 'sanctuary' policies limiting their cooperation in federal efforts. Other states and localities, in contrast, concerned about the costs of providing benefits or services to unauthorized aliens, or such aliens settling in their communities, have adopted measures to deter unauthorized aliens from entering or remaining within their jurisdiction. In some cases, such states or localities have also sued to compel federal officials to enforce the immigration laws, or to compensate them for costs associated with unauthorized migration. This report provides an overview of challenges by states to federal officials' alleged failure to enforce the INA or other provisions of immigration law. It begins by discussing (1) the lawsuits filed by six states in the mid-1990s; (2) Arizona's counterclaims to the federal government's suit to enjoin enforcement of S.B. 1070; and (3) Mississippi's challenge to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. It then describes the challenge brought by over 25 states or state officials in December 2014 to the Obama Administration's proposal to expand DACA and create a similar program for unauthorized aliens whose children are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent resident aliens (LPRs) (commonly known as DAPA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manuel, Kate
2016-08-01
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [January 9, 2017]
"The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation provides annual funding for almost all of the international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function (the major exception being food assistance). The legislation has also served as a vehicle for Congress to place conditions on the expenditure of those funds, and express its views regarding certain foreign policy issues. This report briefly discusses the legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division K, 'Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016,' of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. [Public Law] 114-113). For FY2017, State, Foreign Operations programs are currently being funded under the Continuing Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-223 P.L. 114-223, as amended by P.L. 114-254) that funds these programs through April 28, 2017, on the basis of the FY2016 legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt; Gill, Cory R.
2017-01-09
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [August 22, 2017]
"The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (State, Foreign Operations) appropriations bill provides annual appropriations for the vast majority of international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function.1 The State Department portion makes up about one-third of the funding, and the Foreign Operations portion--often called the 'foreign aid' bill--makes up the remainder of the funds appropriated.2 Among the areas covered by the State, Foreign Operations appropriations legislation, and explained below, are the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) operating budgets; both assessed and voluntary U.S. contributions to international organizations and peacekeeping operations; U.S. non-military international broadcasting; bilateral and multilateral U.S. foreign economic assistance; assistance to foreign militaries; anti-narcotics funding; and funding for the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the many other programs operated primarily by the Department of State and USAID through which the United States engages with the world to protect and advance U.S. national interests. Beyond providing funds, the appropriations bills, in recent years, also have been an important vehicle in conditioning the use of these funds and stating congressional views regarding foreign policy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt; Gill, Cory R.
2017-08-22
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [December 4, 2014]
"Over the last few decades, some states have deviated from an across-the-board prohibition of marijuana. Evolving state-level positions on marijuana include decriminalization initiatives, legal exceptions for medical use, and legalization of certain quantities for recreational use. Notably, in the November 2012 elections, voters in Washington State and Colorado voted to legalize, regulate, and tax the recreational use of small amounts of marijuana. In the November 2014 elections, legalization initiatives passed in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, further spreading the discrepancy between federal and state marijuana laws in the United States. These latest moves have spurred a number of questions regarding their potential implications for related federal law enforcement activities and for the nation's drug policies on the whole. Among these questions is whether or to what extent state initiatives to decriminalize or legalize the use of marijuana conflict with federal law. In general, federal law enforcement has tailored its efforts to target criminal networks rather than individual criminals; its stance regarding marijuana offenders appears consistent with this position. While drug-related investigations and prosecutions remain a priority for federal law enforcement, the Obama Administration has suggested that efforts will be harnessed against large-scale trafficking organizations rather than on recreational users of marijuana. […] Given the differences between federal marijuana policies and those of states that have authorized use of marijuana in some capacity, Congress may choose to address state legalization initiatives in a number of ways, or choose to take no action. Among the host of options, policymakers may choose to amend or affirm federal marijuana policy, exercise oversight over federal law enforcement activities, or incentivize state policies through the provision or denial of certain funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2014-12-04
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State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law: Historical Precedents and Pending Litigation [December 31, 2014]
"States and localities can have significant interest in the manner and extent to which federal officials enforce provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding the exclusion and removal of unauthorized aliens. Some states and localities, concerned that federal enforcement disrupts families and communities, or infringes upon human rights, have adopted 'sanctuary' policies limiting their cooperation in federal efforts. Other states and localities, in contrast, concerned about the costs of providing benefits or services to unauthorized aliens, or such aliens settling in their communities, have adopted measures to deter unauthorized aliens from entering or remaining within their jurisdiction. In some cases, such states or localities have also sued to compel federal officials to enforce the INA and other relevant laws. In the mid-1990s, suits were filed by six states--Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas--which were then home to over half the unauthorized aliens in the United States. Although somewhat different claims were made in each suit, the states generally asserted that federal officials' alleged failure to check unauthorized migration violated the Guarantee and Invasion Clauses of the U.S. Constitution, the Tenth Amendment, and various provisions of the INA. Concerns regarding standing--or who is a proper party to seek judicial relief from a federal court--were noted in some cases. However, even when standing was assumed, states' constitutional claims were seen to involve nonjusticiable 'political questions,' or to fail on their merits. The states' statutory claims were similarly seen to involve matters that were committed to agency discretion by law and, thus, not reviewable by the courts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manuel, Kate
2014-12-31
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [January 13, 2015]
"The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation provides annual funding for almost all of the international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function (the major exception being food assistance). The legislation has also served as a vehicle for Congress to place conditions on the expenditure of those funds, and express its views regarding certain foreign policy issues. This report briefly discusses the legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division J, 'Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2015,' of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt; Tiersky, Alex L.
2015-01-13
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [July 25, 2013]
"Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug across the globe, including in the United States. In 2011, an estimated 18.1 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older (7% of this population) were current (past month) users of marijuana. The rate of reported marijuana use in 2011 was significantly higher than those rates reported prior to 2009. Consistent with this increase in use, the past decade has seen a decline in youth perceptions of risk tied to smoking marijuana once a month or even more frequently, such as 1-2 times per week. Youth also perceive that obtaining marijuana--if they desire it--is relatively easy. Indeed, marijuana availability in the United States has increased, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center. This increase has been linked to factors such as rising marijuana production in Mexico, decreasing marijuana eradication in Mexico, and increasing marijuana cultivation in the United States led by criminal networks including Mexican drug trafficking organizations. The uptick in availability and use of marijuana in the United States is coupled with a general shift in public attitudes toward the substance. In 1969, 12% of the surveyed population supported legalizing marijuana; today, more than half (52%) of surveyed adults feel that marijuana should be legalized. In addition, 60% indicate that the federal government should not enforce federal laws prohibiting marijuana use in those states that allow for its use."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Finklea, Kristin M.; Sacco, Lisa N.
2013-07-25
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State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law: Historical Precedents and Pending Litigation in 'Texas v. United States' [January 27, 2016]
From the Summary: "States and localities can have significant interest in the manner and extent to which federal officials enforce provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding the exclusion and removal of unauthorized aliens. Depending upon the jurisdiction's specific concerns, this interest can be expressed in various ways, from the adoption of 'sanctuary' policies limiting the jurisdiction's cooperation in federal enforcement efforts to the enactment of measures to deter unauthorized aliens from entering or remaining within the jurisdiction. In some cases, states or localities have also sued to compel federal officials to enforce the INA and other relevant laws."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manuel, Kate
2016-01-27
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State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts [January 5, 2016]
"The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation provides annual funding for almost all of the international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function (the major exception being food assistance). The legislation has also served as a vehicle for Congress to place conditions on the expenditure of those funds, and express its views regarding certain foreign policy issues. This report briefly discusses the legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division K, 'Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016,' of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tarnoff, Curt; Tiersky, Alex L.
2016-01-05
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State Challenges to Federal Enforcement of Immigration Law: Historical Precedents and Pending Litigation in 'Texas v. United States' [May 12, 2015]
"States and localities can have significant interest in the manner and extent to which federal officials enforce provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding the exclusion and removal of unauthorized aliens. Depending upon the jurisdiction's specific concerns, this interest can be expressed in various ways, from the adoption of 'sanctuary' policies limiting the jurisdiction's cooperation in federal enforcement efforts to the enactment of measures to deter unauthorized aliens from entering or remaining within the jurisdiction. In some cases, states or localities have also sued to compel federal officials to enforce the INA and other relevant laws. […] Most recently, in December 2014, 27 states or their representatives filed suit challenging the Administration's expansion of DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] and the creation of another DACA-like program for aliens who are parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (commonly known as DAPA). The states allege that these programs run afoul of the Take Care Clause and separation of powers principles of the Constitution, the INA, and substantive and procedural requirements of the APA. In February 2015, a federal district court found that Texas, at least, has standing to challenge DAPA and the DACA expansion, and that the challenged programs are judicially reviewable. The district court also enjoined implementation of these programs after finding that the states are likely to prevail on the merits of their argument that the memorandum establishing these initiatives constitutes a substantive rule, but was issued without compliance with the notice-and comment procedures required for substantive rules under the APA. The Administration has appealed that decision. The district court continues to hear arguments on the states' other claims."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manuel, Kate
2015-05-12
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State Marijuana Legalization Initiatives: Implications for Federal Law Enforcement [September 9, 2013]
"Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug across the world, including in the United States. In 2012, an estimated 18.9 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older (7.3% of this population) had used marijuana in the past month. The rate of reported marijuana use in 2012 was significantly higher than those rates reported prior to 2007. Mirroring this increase in use, marijuana availability in the United States has also increased. This growth has been linked to factors such as rising marijuana production in Mexico, decreasing marijuana eradication in Mexico, and increasing marijuana cultivation in the United States led by criminal networks including Mexican drug trafficking organizations. Along with the uptick in the availability and use of marijuana in the United States, there has been a general shift in public attitudes toward the substance. In 1969, 12% of the surveyed population supported legalizing marijuana; today, more than half (52%) of surveyed adults have expressed opinions that marijuana should be legalized. And, 60% indicate that the federal government should not enforce its marijuana laws in states that allow the use of marijuana."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2013-09-09
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [January 6, 2010]
"President Obama has said his Administration shares the goals of previous Administrations to contain Iran's strategic capabilities and regional influence. The Administration has not changed the previous Administration's characterization of Iran as a "profound threat to U.S. national security interests," a perception generated not only by Iran's nuclear program but also by its military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Palestinian group Hamas, and to Lebanese Hezbollah. The Obama Administration formulated approaches to achieve those goals that differ from those of its predecessor by expanding direct diplomatic engagement with Iran's government and by downplaying discussion of potential U.S. military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. However, the domestic unrest in Iran that has burgeoned since alleged fraud in Iran's June 12, 2009, presidential election has presented the Administration with a choice of whether to continue to engage Iran's government or to back the growing ranks of the Iranian opposition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2010-01-06
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Organization of American States: Background and Issues for Congress [August 29, 2014]
"The Organization of American States (OAS) is the oldest multilateral regional organization in the world. It was founded in 1948 by the United States and 20 Latin American nations to serve as a forum for addressing issues of mutual concern. Over time, the organization expanded to include all 35 independent countries of the Western Hemisphere (though Cuba currently does not participate). The organization's areas of focus have also shifted over time, evolving in accordance with the priorities of its member states. Today, the OAS concentrates on four broad objectives: democracy promotion, human rights protection, economic and social development, and regional security cooperation. It carries out a wide variety of activities to advance these goals, often providing policy guidance and technical assistance to member states."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Motivans, Mark
2014-08-29
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Crisis in the Central African Republic [May 14, 2014]
"This report provides background on the evolving political, security, and humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR). It includes a map of conflict-affected areas and a timeline of key events (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). Violence in CAR has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and is placing new strains on global humanitarian and peacekeeping resources. U.S. policy responses to the situation in CAR include: [1] humanitarian assistance; [2] support to African and French troops that have deployed to CAR; [3] anticipated contributions to a U.N. peacekeeping operation in CAR authorized to begin in September 2014; [4] aid for conflict mitigation and peacebuilding; [5] public diplomacy initiatives; and [6] an Executive Order authorizing targeted sanctions. Possible issues for Congress include the authorization, appropriation, and oversight of U.S. humanitarian assistance and contributions to international stabilization efforts. The crisis in CAR also has implications for several broader issues of potential interest to Congress, including: [1] stability in the wider central Africa region; [2] the prevention of mass atrocities; [3] the status of U.S. efforts to counter the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a small but brutal militia present in CAR and neighboring states; and [4] the impact of instability in CAR on wildlife poaching and other cross-border criminal activity in the region."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Arieff, Alexis
2014-05-14
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Organization of American States: Background and Issues for Congress [June 30, 2015]
From the summary: "The Organization of American States (OAS) is the oldest multilateral regional organization in the world. It was founded in 1948 by the United States and 20 Latin American nations to serve as a forum for addressing issues of mutual concern. Over time, the organization expanded to include all 35 independent countries of the Western Hemisphere (though Cuba currently does not participate). The organization's areas of focus have also shifted over time, evolving in accordance with the priorities of its member states. Today, the OAS concentrates on four broad objectives: democracy promotion, human rights protection, economic and social development, and regional security cooperation. It carries out a wide variety of activities to advance these goals, often providing policy guidance and technical assistance to member states."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.; Motivans, Mark
2015-06-30
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Brazil-U.S. Relations [February 9, 2011]
"With a gross national income (GNI) of $1.6 trillion, Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America. Over the past eight years, the country has enjoyed average annual growth of over 4%. This growth has been driven by a boom in international demand for its commodity exports and the increased purchasing power of Brazil's fast-growing middle class, which has added 30 million people over the past eight years and now accounts for a majority of the population. In 2010, the value of Brazil's exports reached some $202 billion, contributing to a trade surplus of $20.3 billion. The country's current economic strength is the result of a series of policy reforms implemented over the course of two decades that reduced inflation, established stability, and fostered growth. These policies have also enabled Brazil to better absorb international shocks like the recent global financial crisis, from which Brazil emerged relatively unscathed. Although current conditions and Brazil's recent performance suggest the country will sustain solid economic growth rates in the near term, several constraints on mid- and long-term growth remain. Previous Congresses have demonstrated considerable interest in U.S.-Brazil relations, particularly energy and trade issues. Several pieces of legislation were introduced during the 111th Congress, including a bill (S. 587) that would have provided $6 million to expand U.S.-Brazil biofuels cooperation, and a bill (H.R. 5439) that would have offset U.S. contributions to a fund for Brazilian cotton farmers--created as a result of a World Trade Organization dispute--by reducing subsidy payments for U.S. cotton farmers. These issues, as well as other topics in U.S.-Brazil relations, are likely to remain on the agenda of the 112th Congress. This report analyzes Brazil's political, economic, and social conditions, and how those conditions affect its role in the world and its relationship with the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Meyer, Peter J.
2011-02-09
