Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: ALL ("human AND trafficking") in: full text and any metadata
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Gangs in Central America [Updated August 2, 2007]
"Most experts argue that the repressive anti-gangs laws adopted by El Salvador and Honduras have failed to reduce violence and homicides in those countries, and that law enforcement solutions alone will not solve the gang problem. Analysts also predict that illicit gang activities may accelerate illegal immigration and trafficking in drugs, persons, and weapons to the United States, although a recent United Nations report challenges those assertions. Others maintain that contact between gang members across the regions is increasing, and that this tendency may cause increased gang-related violent crime in the United States. Several U.S. agencies have been actively engaged on both the law enforcement and preventive side of dealing with Central American gangs. The National Security Council (NSC) created an inter-agency task force to develop a comprehensive, three year strategy to deal with international gang activity. The strategy, which is now being implemented, states that the U.S. government will pursue coordinated anti-gang activities through five broad areas: diplomacy, repatriation, law enforcement, capacity enhancement, and prevention."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2007-08-02
-
Pakistan - U.S. Relations [Updated June 6, 2007]
"A stable, democratic, economically thriving Pakistan is considered vital to U.S. interests. U.S. concerns regarding Pakistan include regional terrorism; Afghan stability; weapons proliferation; the ongoing Kashmir problem and Pakistan-India tensions; human rights protection; and economic development. A U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by periods of both cooperation and discord was transformed by the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing enlistment of Pakistan as a key ally in U.S.-led counterterrorism efforts. Top U.S. officials regularly praise Pakistan for its ongoing cooperation, although doubts exist about Islamabad's commitment to some core U.S. interests. Pakistan is identified as a base for terrorist groups and their supporters operating in Kashmir, India, and Afghanistan. In late 2003, Pakistan's army began conducting unprecedented counterterrorism operations in the country's western tribal areas. In 2006, Islamabad shifted to a strategy of negotiation with the region's pro-Taliban militants (combined with longer-term economic and infrastructure development in the region), a tack that has elicited skepticism in Western capitals and that appears to be failing. Pakistan's macroeconomic indicators have turned positive since 2001 and some meaningful poverty reduction has been seen in this still poor country."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2007-06-06
-
FY2006 Appropriations for Border and Transportation Security [August 24, 2005]
"A well-managed border is central to maintaining and improving the security of the United States against terrorist threats. Border security entails regulating the flow of goods and people across the nation's borders so that dangerous and unwanted goods or people are denied entry. Transportation security entails screening and protecting people and goods as they move between different locations within the country. The overall appropriations over the past three years for Border and Transportation Security, as defined in this report, are as follows: in FY2004, Congress appropriated $18,106 million; in FY2005, Congress appropriated $20,313 million; in FY2006, the President requested $19,586 million; House-passed H.R. 2360 provides $21,015 million; and Senate-passed H.R. 2360 provides $21,283 million […] Within the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been given primary responsibility for securing the nation's borders and for increasing the security of transportation, among other responsibilities. The locus of border and transportation security activity within DHS is in the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security, which houses the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The U.S. Coast Guard is a standalone agency within DHS but plays an important role in border and transportation security, as does the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). This report includes appropriations for the functions and agencies of BTS, the U.S. Coast Guard and FLETC. Major issues include the number of available detention beds and investigators at ICE; the number of Border Patrol agents in CBP; the appropriate level of funding for the Deepwater program within the Coast Guard; and non-aviation security spending within TSA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2005-08-24
-
Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated April 23, 2007]
"After instability during the late 1990s, Bahrain undertook substantial political reforms, but tensions between ruling Sunni Muslims and the Shiite majority re-emerged in advance of November 2006 parliamentary elections, fueled by Sunni-Shiite conflict in Iraq. Bahrain's stability has long been a key U.S. interest; it has hosted U.S. naval headquarters for the Gulf for nearly 60 years. In September 2004, the United States and Bahrain signed a free trade agreement (FTA); legislation implementing it (H.R. 4340) was signed January 11, 2006 (P.L. 109-169). This report will be updated. See also CRS Report RS21846, U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-04-23
-
Homeland Security Department: FY2007 [Updated July 5, 2006]
"This report describes the FY2007 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senate reported H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, on June 29, 2006, which would provide $32.8 billion for DHS for FY2007. The House passed H.R. 5441, on June 6, 2006, and would provide $33.2 billion in net budget authority. The Administration requested a net appropriation of $31.9 billion in net budget authority for FY2007, of which $31.0 billion is discretionary budget authority, and $1 billion is mandatory budget authority. The President's request for appropriations includes the following break out of net budget authority for the four titles of the DHS appropriation bill: (I) Departmental Management and Operations, $1,074 million; (II) Security, Enforcement and Investigations, $22,671 million; (III) Preparedness and Response, $6,385 million; and (IV) Research and Development, Training, Assessments, and Services, $1,965 million."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Lake, Jennifer E.; Frittelli, John
2006-07-05
-
Foreign Operations (House)/Senate, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Senate): FY2007 Appropriations [Updated July 14, 2006]
"The annual Foreign Operations appropriations bill in the House, and the State, Foreign Operations measure in the Senate are the primary legislative vehicles through which Congress reviews the U.S. international affairs budgets and influences executive branch foreign policy making generally. They contain the largest shares - the House bill, about two-thirds; the Senate bill, about 97%- of total U.S. international affairs spending. Due to subcommittee structural differences between the House and Senate, the House Appropriations Committee considers the Foreign Operations request separate from the State Department budget, with the latter falling under the jurisdiction of the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce (SSJC) Subcommittee. The Senate Appropriations Committee, however, combines Foreign Operations and State Department funding requests. Funding for Foreign Operations and State Department/Broadcasting programs has been rising for six consecutive years, and amounts approved in FY2004 reached an unprecedented level compared with the past 40 years. Emergency supplementals enacted since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to assist the front line states in the war on terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq reconstruction, and for State Department operations and security upgrades have pushed spending upward."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Nowels, Larry Q.; Veillette, Connie
2006-07-14
-
Extraterritorial Application of American Criminal Law [Updated August 11, 2006]
From the Document: "Although the crimes may be many, so are the obstacles to their enforcement. For both practical and diplomatic reasons, criminal investigations within another country require the acquiescence, consent, or preferably the assistance, of the authorities of the host country. The United States has mutual legal assistance treaties with several countries designed to formalize such cooperative law enforcement assistance. Searches and interrogations carried out on our behalf by foreign officials, certainly if they involve Americans, must be conducted within the confines of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. And the Sixth Amendment imposes limits upon the use in American criminal trials of depositions taken abroad. Our recently negotiated extradition treaties address some of the features of our earlier agreements which complicate extradition for extraterritorial offenses, i.e., dual criminality requirements and exemptions on the basis of nationality or political offenses. To further facilitate the prosecution of federal crimes with extraterritorial application Congress has enacted special venue, statute of limitations, and evidentiary statutes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2006-08-11
-
Cuba After Fidel Castro: U.S. Policy Implications and Approaches [Updated September 2, 2006]
"Cuba has remained a hard-line communist state under Fidel Castro for more than 47 years, but Fidel's July 31, 2006 announcement that he was ceding political power to his brother Raúl for several weeks in order to recover from surgery could be the beginning of a political transition. Recent surgery and advanced age make the date of his permanent departure from the political scene all the closer. Before his recent surgery, observers discerned several potential scenarios for Cuba's future after Fidel. These scenarios are: the continuation of a communist government; a military government; or a democratic transition or fully democratic government. According to most observers, the most likely short term scenario is a successor communist government led by Raúl Castro. This the most likely scenario for a variety of reasons, but especially because of Raúl's official designation as successor and his position as leader of the Cuban military. In the new context of Fidel's transfer of power, there are two broad policy approaches to contend with political change in Cuba: a stay-the-course or status-quo approach that would maintain the U.S. dual-track policy of isolating the Cuban government while providing support to the Cuban people; and an approach aimed at influencing the Cuban government and Cuban society through increased contact and engagement. For further information, see CRS Report RL32730, Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress; CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances; and CRS Report RL32251, Cuba and the State Sponsors of Terrorism List and S.3769 (Ensign)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2006-09-02
-
Foreign Operations (House)/State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (Senate): FY2007 Appropriations [Updated September 8, 2006]
"Major issues confronting Congress in considering the Foreign Operations and State Department/Broadcasting appropriations request for FY2007 include: the overall size of the Foreign Operations request - a 14.4% increase over regular FY2006 Foreign Operations funds; proposed cuts in spending on core bilateral development assistance and programs in Latin America; a 71% increase in appropriations for the Millennium Challenge Account; and Secretary Rice's Transformational Diplomacy initiative for the State Department. The following topics are included in the report: foreign operations and State Department policy trends and goals, impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and fighting the war on terrorism."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Nowels, Larry Q.; Veillette, Connie
2006-09-06
-
Cuba After Fidel Castro: U.S. Policy Implications and Approaches [Updated September 1, 2006]
"Cuba has remained a hard-line communist state under Fidel Castro for more than 47 years, but Fidel's July 31, 2006 announcement that he was ceding political power to his brother Raúl for several weeks in order to recover from surgery could be the beginning of a political transition. Over the past few years, there has been increased speculation about Cuba's future without Fidel, who turned 80 on August 13, 2006. While previous predictions about Fidel's imminent demise proved premature, his recent surgery and advanced age make the date of his permanent departure from the political scene all the closer. Before his recent surgery, observers discerned several potential scenarios for Cuba's future after Fidel. These fit into three broad categories: the continuation of a communist government; a military government; or a democratic transition or fully democratic government. According to most observers, the most likely scenario, at least in the short term, is a successor communist government led by Raúl Castro. This is the most likely scenario for a variety of reasons, but especially because of Raúl's official designation as successor and his position as leader of the Cuban military. For further information, see CRS Report RL32730, Cuba: Issues for the 109th Congress; CRS Report RL31139, Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances; and CRS Report RL32251, Cuba and the State Sponsors of Terrorism List."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2006-09-01
-
Cuba After Fidel Castro: U.S. Policy Implications and Approaches [August 23, 2006]
"Cuba has remained a hard-line communist state under Fidel Castro for more than 47 years, but Fidel's July 31, 2006 announcement that he was ceding political power to his brother Raúl for several weeks in order to recover from surgery could be the beginning of a political transition. Over the past few years, there has been increased speculation about Cuba's future without Fidel, who turned 80 on August 13, 2006. While previous predictions about Fidel's imminent demise proved premature, his recent surgery and advanced age make the date of his permanent departure from the political scene all the closer. Before his recent surgery, observers discerned several potential scenarios for Cuba's future after Fidel. These fit into three broad categories: the continuation of a communist government; a military government; or a democratic transition or fully democratic government. According to most observers, the most likely scenario, at least in the short term, is a successor communist government led by Raúl Castro. This the most likely scenario for a variety of reasons, but especially because of Raúl's official designation as successor and his position as leader of the Cuban military."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2006-08-23
-
Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation [Updated December 10, 2007]
"More than six years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by foreign nationals -- including several terrorists on student visas -- the security concerns over foreign student visas are being weighed against competitiveness concerns. Potential foreign students, as well as all aliens, must satisfy Department of State (DOS) consular officers abroad and immigration inspectors upon entry to the United States that they are not ineligible for visas under the so-called 'grounds for inadmissibility' of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which include security and terrorist concerns. The consular officers who process visa applicants are required to check the consolidated Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) before issuing any visa. In part because of these security measures, student visa debates have expanded to include both security and market-based discussions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haddal, Chad C.
2007-12-10
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated December 28, 2007]
"According to the Administration's 'National Security Strategy' document released on March 16, 2006, the United States 'may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.' That Administration perception continues, generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but intensified by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat assessment of some other governments was lessened by the December 3, 2007 key judgements of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. The Bush Administration argues that the NIE at least partly validates its approaches to containing the potential threat posed by Iran -- strengthening international economic and political isolation of Iran to compel it to comply with international demands that it curb its program. Still, the NIE does not claim that Iran has complied with U.N. Security Council demands that it cease uranium enrichment. Two U.N. resolutions (1737 and 1747) 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, and require reporting on international travel by named Iranians. With Iran still refusing to suspend enrichment, further sanctions remain under discussion at the U.N. Security Council, although the sanctions now under discussion appear to be more modest than those considered before the NIE was released."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-12-28
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated December 5, 2007]
"According to the Administration's 'National Security Strategy' document released on March 16, 2006, the United States 'may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.' That Administration perception continues, generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but intensified by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat perception of other governments might change following the December 3, 2007 release of key judgements from a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. The Bush Administration argues that the NIE at least partly validates its approaches to containing the potential threat posed by Iran -- strengthening international economic and political isolation of Iran to compel it to comply with international demands that it curb its program. Still, the NIE does not claim that Iran has complied with U.N. Security Council demands that it cease uranium enrichment. Two U.N. resolutions (1737 and 1747) 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, and require reporting on international travel by named Iranians. With Iran still refusing to comply on enrichment but apparently mostly cooperating with an August 2007 offer to reveal to the International Atomic Energy Agency additional information on its past nuclear program, further sanctions, possibly including on civilian trade or financing, have been under discussion at the U.N. Security Council. […] Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-12-05
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated October 9, 2007]
"According to the Administration's 'National Security Strategy' document released on March 16, 2006, the United States 'may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.' That perception continues, generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program and intensified by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Lebanese Hezbollah. In part to direct regional attention to that view but also to engage Iran on an Iraq solution, the Administration attended regional conferences on Iraq on March 10, 2007, and May 3-4, 2007, both attended by Iran (and Syria), and subsequently has held a series of bilateral meetings with Iran in Baghdad. The Bush Administration is pursuing several approaches to attempt to contain the potential threat posed by Iran, but the U.S. emphasis now is to strengthen international economic sanctions on Iran to compel Iran to comply with the U.N. Security Council deadlines since August 2006 that have demanded it cease uranium enrichment. Two U.N. resolutions (1737 and 1747) 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, and require reporting on international travel by named Iranians. With Iran still refusing to comply on enrichment but offering to reveal to the International Atomic Energy Agency additional information […], further steps are under discussion at the U.N. Security Council, although some Security Council members want to await the results of additional diplomacy before extending sanctions to civilian trade issues. "
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-10-09
-
Extraterritorial Application of American Criminal Law [Updated September 10, 2007]
"Crime is usually territorial. It is a matter of the law of the place where it occurs. Nevertheless, a surprising number of American criminal laws apply outside of the United States. Application is generally a question of legislative intent, expressed or implied. In either case, it most often involves crimes committed aboard a ship or airplane, crimes condemned by international treaty, crimes committed against government employees or property, or crimes that have an impact in this country even if planned or committed in part elsewhere. Although the crimes over which the United States has extraterritorial jurisdiction may be many, so are the obstacles to their enforcement. For both practical and diplomatic reasons, criminal investigations within another country require the acquiescence, consent, or preferably the assistance, of the authorities of the host country. The United States has mutual legal assistance treaties with several countries designed to formalize such cooperative law enforcement assistance. Searches and interrogations carried out on our behalf by foreign officials, certainly if they involve Americans, must be conducted within the confines of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. And the Sixth Amendment imposes limits upon the use in American criminal trials of depositions taken abroad. […] Our recently negotiated extradition treaties address some of the features of our earlier agreements which complicate extradition for extraterritorial offenses, i.e., dual criminality requirements, reluctance to recognize extraterritorial jurisdiction, and exemptions on the basis of nationality or political offenses. To further facilitate the prosecution of federal crimes with extraterritorial application Congress has enacted special venue, statute of limitations, and evidentiary statutes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2007-09-10
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated October 29, 2007]
"According to the Administration's 'National Security Strategy' document released on March 16, 2006, the United States 'may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.' That perception continues, generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program and intensified by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Lebanese Hezbollah. In part to direct regional attention to that view but also to engage Iran on an Iraq solution, the Administration attended regional conferences on Iraq on March 10, 2007, and May 3-4, 2007, both attended by Iran (and Syria), and subsequently has held a series of bilateral meetings with Iran in Baghdad. […] To strengthen its diplomacy, the Administration has maintained a substantial naval presence in the Persian Gulf and has been arresting Iranian agents in Iraq. The Administration strongly denies the widespread speculation that it plans military action against Iran, but has refused to rule it out. Some legislation passed in the 110th Congress, including H.R. 140 and H.R. 957, would increase U.S. sanctions on Iran -- both the U.S. trade ban and the Iran Sanctions Act that seeks to prevent foreign investment in Iran's energy sector. Other legislation, such as H.R. 1357, H.R. 2347, and S. 1430, promote divestment of companies that do business with Iran. Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-10-29
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated January 11, 2008]
"According to the Administration, Iran is a major national security challenge for the United States. The Administration perception is generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but is compounded by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat assessment of some other governments was lessened by the December 3, 2007 key judgements of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. The Bush Administration argues that the NIE at least partly validates its approaches to containing the potential threat posed by Iran-strengthening international economic and political isolation of Iran to compel it to comply with international demands that it end its enrichment of uranium. Two U.N. resolutions (1737 and 1747) 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, and require reporting on international travel by named Iranians. With Iran still refusing to suspend enrichment, further sanctions remain under discussion at the U.N. Security Council, although the sanctions now under discussion appear to be more modest than those considered before the NIE was released. Separate U.S. efforts, showing some success, have included trying to persuade European governments to curb trade, investment, and credits to Iran; and pressuring foreign banks not to do business with Iran."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-01-11
-
Gangs in Central America [Updated January 11, 2008]
"Most experts argue that the repressive anti-gangs laws adopted by El Salvador and Honduras have failed to reduce violence and homicides in those countries, and that law enforcement solutions alone will not solve the gang problem. Analysts also predict that illicit gang activities may accelerate illegal immigration and trafficking in drugs, persons, and weapons to the United States, although a recent United Nations report challenges those assertions. Others maintain that contact between gang members across the regions is increasing, and that this tendency may cause increased gang-related violent crime in the United States. Several U.S. agencies have been actively engaged on both the law enforcement and preventive side of dealing with Central American gangs. The National Security Council (NSC) created an inter-agency task force to develop a comprehensive, three year strategy to deal with international gang activity. The strategy, which is now being implemented, states that the U.S. government will pursue coordinated anti-gang activities through five broad areas: diplomacy, repatriation, law enforcement, capacity enhancement, and prevention."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2008-01-11
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated January 30, 2008]
"According to the Administration, Iran is a major national security challenge for the United States. The Administration perception is generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but is compounded by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat assessment of some other governments was lessened by the December 3, 2007 key judgements of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. […]To strengthen its diplomacy, the Administration has maintained a substantial naval presence in the Persian Gulf. The Administration has been strongly denying widespread speculation that it plans military action against Iran, but has refused to rule it out if no other efforts to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program succeed. Some in Congress seek to limit the President's authority to take unilateral military action against Iran. Some legislation passed by the House in the 110th Congress, including H.R. 1400 and H.R. 957, would increase U.S. sanctions on Iran -- both the U.S. trade ban and the Iran Sanctions Act that seeks to prevent foreign investment in Iran's energy sector. Other legislation, such as H.R. 1357, H.R. 2347 (passed by the House), and S.1430, promote divestment of companies that do business with Iran. Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran. On October 21, 2007, the Administration named several Revolutionary Guard entities and personalities as proliferators and supporters of terrorism, and the Guard's 'Qods Force' as a terrorism supporter (but not as a foreign terrorist organization, FTO)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-01-30
-
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade: Key Issues for the 110th Congress [December 20, 2006]
"The 110th Congress will face a number of pressing foreign affairs, defense, and trade issues in the opening days of its tenure. This report identifies major issues most likely to be on the legislative agenda, discusses critical policy choices at stake, and summarizes some of the major alternatives that Congress may consider. The report lists Congressional Research Service reports that address these issues, and it identifies key analysts and their areas of responsibility. A major issue confronting the new Congress is what to do in Iraq. The Baker/Hamilton-led Iraq Study Group recommended pursuing a new diplomatic initiative, including negotiations with Iran and Syria; and making the training of Iraqi security forces the primary U.S. military mission. U.S. and allied progress in Afghanistan may also be among the key issues in the 110th Congress along with international counter-terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional geopolitical dynamics, and trade developments. Defense spending, and particularly budgeting for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, will also be one of the major issues facing the 110th Congress. Congress may be asked to consider large increases in funding for the Army, and it faces a potentially difficult tradeoff between increases in the size of the Army and funding for major weapons programs. Other defense issues include the implementation of recent base closure plans, the status of intelligence reform, pay and benefits of military personnel, and the role and structure of National Guard and Reserve forces. Trade issues have become increasingly controversial in recent years, and may well remain so as many Members grapple with the real and perceived effects of globalization. Many Members have concerns about instances of lost jobs and lower wages, the growing income gap in the United States, and about burgeoning U.S. trade deficits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Seelke, Clare Ribando
2006-12-20
-
Immigration Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) [June 7, 2012]
"This report describes how the VAWA [Violence Against Women Act] provisions work in practice. It discusses improvements suggested by immigration attorneys and law enforcement observers to increase the utilization of VAWA provisions by abused foreign nationals as well as ways to reduce immigration fraud. The report closes with possible immigration-related issues that Congress may choose to consider should it reauthorize VAWA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kandel, William
2012-06-07
-
International Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress [June 26, 2012]
"U.S. family planning policy and abortion restrictions have generated contentious debate for over three decades, resulting in frequent clarification and modification of U.S. international family planning programs. Given the divisive nature of this debate, U.S. funding of these programs will likely remain a point of contention during the 112th Congress. In 1984, controversy arose over U.S. family planning assistance when the Ronald Reagan Administration introduced restrictions that became known as the 'Mexico City policy.' The Mexico City policy required foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to certify that they would not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning--even if the activities were undertaken with non-U.S. funds. Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush also suspended grants to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) due to evidence of coercive family planning practices in China, citing violations of the 'Kemp-Kasten' amendment, which bans U.S. assistance to organizations that, as determined by the President, support or participate in the management of coercive family planning programs. President Bill Clinton resumed UNFPA funding and rescinded the Mexico City policy in 1993. In 2001, however, President George W. Bush reapplied the Mexico City policy restrictions. The Bush Administration also suspended U.S. contributions to UNFPA from FY2002 to FY2008 following a State Department investigation of family planning programs in China. In January 2009, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum rescinding the Mexico City policy. The President also stated that the United States would resume U.S. contributions to UNFPA."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Blanchfield, Luisa
2012-06-26
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [June 26, 2012]
"The issue of Iran and its nuclear program has emerged as a top priority for the Obama Administration. A sense of potential crisis in late 2011 and early 2012 was generated by growing suspicions in the international community that Iran's nuclear program is not for purely peaceful purposes, and the determination of the government of Israel, in particular, that it might take unilateral military action against Iran's nuclear facilities if its progress is not soon halted. […] The United States has long seen a threat to U.S. interests posed by Iran's support for militant groups in the Middle East and in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. officials accuse Iran of helping Syria's leadership try to defeat a growing popular opposition movement and of taking advantage of Shiite majority unrest against the Sunni-led, pro-U.S. government of Bahrain. However, to date, these issues have not generated the same sense of crisis that the nuclear issue has. […] Some in the 112th Congress, aside from supporting additional economic sanctions against Iran, assert that the United States should provide additional political support to the democracy movement in Iran, despite the relative quiescence of the opposition since early 2010. The Administration argues that it has supported the opposition through civil society and other programs, and by using recent authorities to sanction Iranian officials who suppress human rights in Iran and help Syria repress human rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2012-06-26
-
Timor-Leste: Political Dynamics, Development, and International Involvement [July 3, 2012]
"The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste gained independence on May 20, 2002, after a long history of Portuguese colonialism and, more recently, Indonesian rule. The young nation, with a population of 1.1 million, has been aided by the United Nations under several different mandates under which the U.N. has provided peacekeeping, humanitarian, reconstruction and capacity building assistance to establish a functioning government. The current United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is slated to withdraw from the nation at the end of 2012. […] That said, Timor-Leste faces many serious challenges as it seeks to establish and deepen a stable democracy and develop its economy. Many institutions in the young nation remain weak, and tensions remain between the young country's political elites and among security forces. Timor- Leste remains one of Asia's poorest nations, ranking 147th out of 187 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Generating economic opportunity and employment are among the government's greatest challenges. Congressional concerns have focused on security and the role of the United Nations, human rights, East Timor's boundary disputes with Australia and Indonesia, and the strengthening of the nation's political system and functioning of its parliament. Key challenges for Timor-Leste include creating enough political stability to focus on building state capacity and infrastructure, providing employment, and preventing the oil-and-gas revenue stream from being squandered by corruption or poor investment decisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Margesson, Rhoda; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2012-07-03
-
Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [March 7, 2008]
"According to the Administration, Iran is a major national security challenge for the United States. The Administration perception is generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but is compounded by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat assessment of some other governments was lessened by the December 3, 2007 key judgements of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. […] To strengthen its diplomacy, the Administration has maintained a substantial naval presence in the Persian Gulf. The Administration has strongly denied widespread speculation that it plans military action against Iran, but has refused to rule it out if no other efforts to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program succeed. Some legislation passed by the House in the 110th Congress, including H.R. 1400 and H.R. 957, would increase U.S. sanctions on Iran -- both the U.S. trade ban and the Iran Sanctions Act that seeks to prevent foreign investment in Iran's energy sector. Other legislation, such as H.R. 1357, H.R. 2347 (passed by the House), and S.1430, promote divestment of companies that do business with Iran. Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran. On October 21, 2007, the Administration named several Revolutionary Guard entities and personalities as proliferators and supporters of terrorism, and the Guard's 'Qods Force' as a terrorism supporter (but not as a foreign terrorist organization, FTO). For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS20871, 'The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA)', and CRS Report RS22323, 'Iran's Activities and Influence in Iraq', both by Kenneth Katzman, and CRS Report RS21592, 'Iran's Nuclear Program: Recent Developments'. This report is updated regularly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-03-07
-
Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights [June 13, 2012]
"Relations among major political factions have worsened substantially in late 2011 and have not improved thus far in 2012, threatening Iraq's stability and the perception of the achievements of the long U.S. intervention in Iraq. Yet, these tensions have not erupted into all-out communal or political violence, and remain confined to the institutions of governance. […] As Iraq emerges from its U.S.-led transition, Iraq is realigning itself in the region. Some see it moving closer to Iran, and they cite Iraq's reluctance to call for Iran's ally, Bashar Al Assad of Syria, to yield power amid major unrest. Others see Iraq trying to reestablish its historic role as a major player in the Arab world, and to do so Iraq has been trying to rebuild relations with Sunni Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Iraq took a large step toward returning to the Arab fold by hosting an Arab League summit on March 27-29, 2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2012-06-13
-
Kazakhstan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [March 7, 2007]
"Kazakhstan is an important power in Central Asia by virtue of its geographic location, large territory, ample natural resources, and economic growth, but it faces ethnic, political, and other challenges to stability. This report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical data are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL33458, 'Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2007-03-07
-
Belarus: Background and U.S. Policy Concerns [May 1, 2012]
From the Document: "Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko snuffed out Belarus's modest progress toward democracy and a free market economy and created an authoritarian regime shortly after being elected as president in 1994. His regime is in rhetoric and policies a throwback to the Soviet era. Those advocating a stronger U.S. role in trying to bring democratic change to Belarus say that the country is important to the United States because Belarus is an obstacle to the U.S. goal of making Europe 'whole and free.' Another concern is Belarus's support for pariah regimes, including through arms sales. Relations between Belarus and the EU [European Union] and United States have been particularly poor since Lukashenko's brutal repression of the opposition after fraudulent presidential elections in December 2010. In response, the EU and United States have imposed strengthened sanctions against key Belarusian leaders, businessmen, and firms. Russia has taken advantage of this situation to increase its political and economic influence in Belarus."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woehrel, Steven J.
2012-05-01
-
Egypt: Transition Under Military Rule [June 21, 2012]
"This report provides a brief overview of the transition thus far and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt. The United States has provided significant military and economic assistance to Egypt since the late 1970s. U.S. policy makers have routinely justified aid to Egypt as an investment in regional stability, built primarily on long-running military cooperation and on sustaining the March 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Successive U.S. Administrations have viewed Egypt's government as generally influencing developments in the Middle East in line with U.S. interests. U.S. policy makers are now grappling with complex questions about the future of U.S.-Egypt relations, and these debates and events in Egypt are shaping consideration of appropriations and authorization legislation in the 112th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2012-06-21
