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Public Trust and Law Enforcement-A Brief Discussion for Policy Makers [February 9, 2015]
"Recent events involving conflict between the police and citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the people they serve while promoting effective crime reduction. This report provides a brief overview of police-community relations and how the federal government might be able to promote more accountability and better relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Gallup poll data show that, overall, Americans are confident in the police; but, confidence in the police varies according to race, place of residence, and other factors. In 2014, less than 50% of Americans favorably rated the honesty and ethics of police, the lowest percentage since 1998. If they conclude that low public ratings of the police are at least partially attributable to police policies, Congress may decide to address state and local law enforcement policies and practices they believe erode public trust in law enforcement. Federalism limits the amount of influence Congress can have over state and local law enforcement policy. Regardless, the federal government might choose to promote better law enforcement-community relations and accountability through (1) federal efforts to collect and disseminate data on the use of force by law enforcement, (2) statutes that allow the federal government to investigate instances of alleged police misconduct, and (3) the influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) has on state and local policing through its role as an enforcer, policy leader, convener, and funder of law enforcement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
James, Nathan; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Finklea, Kristin M. . . .
2015-02-09
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Advantage At Sea: Prevailing with Integrated All-Domain Naval Power
From the Introduction: "The United States is a maritime nation. Our security and prosperity depend on the seas. Since the end of World War II, the United States has built, led, and advanced a rules-based international system through shared commitments with our allies and partners. Forward deployed forces of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard--collectively known as the Naval Service--have guaranteed the security of this system. Free and open access to the world's oceans has fostered an extraordinary era of wealth and peace for many nations. That system is now at risk. 'Advantage at Sea' is a Tri-Service Maritime Strategy that focuses on China and Russia, the two most significant threats to this era of global peace and prosperity. We prioritize competition with China due to its growing economic and military strength, increasing aggressiveness, and demonstrated intent to dominate its regional waters and remake the international order in its favor. Until China chooses to act as a responsible stakeholder rather than brandish its power to further its authoritarian interests, it represents the most comprehensive threat to the United States, our allies, and all nations supporting a free and open system."
United States. Department of the Navy; United States. Marine Corps; United States. Coast Guard
2020-12
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Electronic Border Searches After 'Riley'
From the thesis Abstract: "This thesis discusses the implications of the Supreme Court's 2014 decision in Riley v. California for the search of electronic devices at the border, termed 'electronic border searches.' It explores the degree to which such searches continue to be constitutionally permissible and contrasts Riley's categorical rule protecting electronic devices in the interior with the general search power granted the government at the border. Following an examination of the divergences among lower courts in applying Riley, it finds Riley has limited application to the conduct of electronic border searches and that they continue to be constitutionally permissible. This thesis also explores how the reasonableness of such searches can be maintained despite evolving technology and privacy perceptions. By examining other legislative and constitutional rules, it derives an approach for electronic border searches where powerful government interests and privacy concerns collide. The result is a view of electronic devices at the border as hybrid property--as both containers and novel 'effects.' Accordingly, this thesis advocates a hybrid-scope-limited approach that tethers suspicion-less electronic border searches to the original rationale for the border search doctrine. It presents a bifurcated framework leading to a two-tiered, hybrid-scope-limited rule where distinct levels of intrusion into electronic devices at the border are tied to differential levels of suspicion."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bode, Aaron
2020-12
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Fire Service Intelligence: Informed Strategies, Operations, and Tactics
From the thesis Abstract: "Fire service agencies struggle to receive and use relevant, agency-specific intelligence, which hampers their ability to prevent attacks, protect the community, mitigate an attack's impact, respond safely, and recover from such events. This thesis presents the intelligence requirements necessary to support the fire service and specifies how the fire service can use intelligence to guide strategic policy development, operational planning, and tactical decision-making. It employed a qualitative gap analysis, using a 15- question survey of fire service personnel, to compare the current state of the fire service intelligence apparatus with a desired future state. This thesis also used case analysis to identify current intelligence products to understand how well they support strategic, operational, and tactical decisions. This thesis identifies intelligence gaps from a broader fire-service audience and offers a holistic set of recommendations, thus contributing to intelligence research. The gaps involve collaborating with law enforcement on intelligence, establishing intelligence requirements to better support the fire service, handling sensitive information, and using finished intelligence for decision-making. This thesis recommends identifying and distributing intelligence requirements to the fire service, developing training and policy guidance on intelligence handling, and creating a joint intelligence guide."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Phillips, Derrick D.
2020-12
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It Starts at Home: Internal Actions Police Agencies Can Take to Improve Staffing
From the thesis Abstract: "The shortage of police officers in the United States has become a crisis. Many officers leave the force after only a few years, and police departments struggle to find qualified applicants to fill rapidly increasing openings. This thesis asks what police leaders can do to solve their staffing problems. The research looks to the armed forces' recruitment methodology and the private sector's use of analytics to address strategic problems, and analyzes two police departments that have been able to reduce the number of open positions through an integrated approach to recruiting, retention, and force management. The research finds that traditional methods are no longer effective; modern recruiting requires departments to adapt to new and changing environments and generations. Recruitment advertising must be honest and targeted to the right audience, and must use the most appropriate medium for the message. To promote retention, police leaders must go beyond offering competitive compensation; equally as important, they must consider how they engage with and connect to their employees. Further, successful force management requires leaders to determine which positions must truly be filled by sworn officers and which can be filled by appropriately skilled civilians. To address staffing challenges, police leaders must start with retention and force management to determine what and who they need, and then enhance their recruiting efforts to complete the triad and fill their open spots."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Haynes, Mark L.
2020-12
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Threats to the Homeland, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, November 14, 2013
This is the November 14, 2013 hearing on "Threats to the Homeland," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. From the opening statement of Chairman Thomas R. Carper: "Today's hearing will consider threats to the U.S. homeland from terrorists, from cyber attackers, from homegrown extremists, and from lone wolf offenders. The objective of this hearing is for this Committee to gain a better understanding of how these threats have evolved over the last year and if our national security agencies are keeping up with these ever-changing threats. I would add another purpose for these hearings is to find out what we need to be doing on the legislative side to better enable you to keep up with these ever-changing threats. As we know, 12 years ago, our country's sense of security was upended when Al-Qaeda launched the most significant attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor. In the years since that tragic day, we have made significant progress in combatting the terrorist threat to our homeland. On behalf of this entire Committee, I want to express our thanks from the American people for the very good work that has been done and continues to be done to try to make sure that we stay safe in a very dangerous world. Our aviation system is more secure. Our borders are stronger. Our government agencies share more terrorist intelligence than ever before. Our first responders are better prepared to deal with disasters and terrorist attacks. Americans are safer because of these efforts. And while we have made great strides, our system for preventing terrorist attacks is not perfect, and as Dr. Coburn knows, one of my guiding principles is, if it is not perfect, make it better. This is not a time to rest on our laurels." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rand Beers, James B. Comey, Jr., and Matthew G. Olsen.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
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Roles and Responsibilities for Defending the Nation from Cyber Attack, Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, October 19, 2017
This is the October 19, 2017 hearing titled "The Roles and Responsibilities for Defending the Nation from Cyber Attack," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. From the opening statement of John McCain: "Not a week passes that we do not read about some disturbing new incident: cyber attacks against our government systems and critical infrastructure, data breaches that compromise sensitive information of our citizens and companies, attempts to manipulate public opinion through social media, and of course attacks against the fundamentals of our democratic system and process. Those are just the ones that we know about. This is a totally new kind of threat, as we all know. Our adversaries, both state and non-state actors, view the entire information domain as a battlespace, and across it, they are waging a new kind of war against us, a war involving but extending beyond our military, to include our infrastructure, our businesses, and our people. The Department of Defense has a critical role to play in this new kind of war, but it cannot succeed alone. To be clear, we are not succeeding." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John McCain, Jack Reed, Kenneth P. Rapuano, Scott Smith, and Christopher C. Krebs.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019
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Iran: Internal Politics and U.S. Policy and Options [Updated July 29, 2021]
From the Summary: "U.S.-Iran relations have been mostly adversarial since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, occasionally flaring into direct conflict while at other times witnessing negotiations or tacit cooperation on selected issues. U.S. officials have consistently identified the regime's support for militant Middle East groups as a significant threat to U.S. interests and allies, and limiting the expansion of Iran's nuclear program has been a key U.S. policy goal for nearly two decades. The Obama Administration engaged Iran directly and obtained a July 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) that exchanged sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear program. The accord did not contain binding curbs on Iran's missile program or its regional interventions, or any requirements that the Iranian government improve its human rights practices. The Trump Administration criticized the JCPOA's perceived shortcomings and, returning to prior policies of seeking to weaken Iran strategically, on May 8, 2018, it ceased implementing U.S. commitments under the JCPOA and reimposed all U.S. sanctions. [...] The Biden Administration has again shifted U.S. policy toward Iran, moving closer to that pursued during the Obama Administration. The Biden Administration has engaged in talks with Iran to restore full implementation of the JCPOA by both Iran and the United States, including offering the lifting of those U.S. sanctions that are 'inconsistent with the JCPOA.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2021-07-29
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Biden Administration's Immigration Enforcement Priorities: Background and Legal Considerations [Updated August 4, 2021]
From the Document: "Almost immediately after taking office, President Biden issued a series of directives on immigration matters. Some of these directives focused on altering the immigration enforcement priorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agency primarily charged with the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Federal statute confers immigration authorities with 'broad discretion' to determine when it is appropriate to pursue the removal of a non-U.S. citizen or national (alien) who lacks a legal basis to remain in the country. Resource or humanitarian concerns have typically led authorities to prioritize enforcement actions against subsets of the removable population (e.g., those who have committed certain crimes or pose national security risks). [...] This Sidebar addresses the Biden Administration's immigration enforcement priorities and legal considerations that they raise."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Hillel R.
2021-08-04
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Going Dark: Encryption, Technology, and the Balance Between Public Safety and Privacy, Hearing Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, July 8, 2015
This is a testimony compilation of the July 8, 2015 hearing on "Going Dark: Encryption, Technology, and the Balance Between Public Safety and Privacy" held before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Chuck Grassley: "The core of the Fourth Amendment is the requirement that, with limited exceptions, when a law enforcement officer is investigating a crime, the officer must obtain an individualized warrant or court order to conduct a search that would violate a person's reasonable expectation of privacy. And that order must be issued by a neutral and detached judge based on facts that demonstrate probable cause. Through this brilliant framework, for over 200 years, our constitutional system has preserved the rule of law, ensured our public safety is maintained, and protected our individual privacy and civil liberties in part through the separation of powers. But recently, prominent law enforcement officials have been questioning whether the laws Congress has enacted over the years to adapt that framework to changing technology, such as the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, or CALEA, are adequate to the task today." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sally Quillian Yates, James B. Comey, Cyrus Vance Jr., Herbert Lin, and Peter Swire.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary
2015-07-08
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Location Privacy Protection Act of 2014, Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, June 4, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the June 4, 2014 hearing on the "Location Privacy Protection Act of 2014" held before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Patrick Leahy: "Today, the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law will discuss Senator Franken's Location Privacy Protection Act, which he reintroduced earlier this year. I commend the Subcommittee's Chairman for holding this important hearing and for his work on consumer privacy issues. With the explosion of smart technologies and mobile applications, now commonly referred to as 'apps,' American consumers face threats to privacy now like never before. Many of us carry smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, at all times and use them for anything from navigational and social networking purposes to shopping and playing games. While this technology has brought many new benefits to consumers, it has also raised troubling questions and presented new challenges for how to protect individuals' privacy." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Bea Hanson, Jessica Rich, Mark Goldstein, Brian Hill, Lou Mastria, Sally Greenberg, Robert D. Atkinson, and Cindy Southworth.
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary
2014-06-04
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Cybersecurity, Preparing for and Responding to the Enduring Threat, Hearing Before the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session Special Hearing, June 12, 2013
This testimony compilation is from the June 12, 2013 hearing, "Cybersecurity: Preparing for and Responding to the Enduring Threat," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. From the opening statement of Keith B. Alexander: "I am here representing the Department of Defense in general and the men and women, military and civilian, who serve at U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). It is my honor to appear today with colleagues from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST). I hope to describe some of the challenges we face in performing the difficult but vital missions of keeping U.S. national security systems secure, helping to protect our nation's critical infrastructure from national-level cyber attacks, and working with other U.S. Government agencies, state and local authorities, national allies, and the private sector in defending our nation's interests in cyberspace. Together we make up a team deeply committed to compliance with the law and the protection of privacy rights that works every day with other U.S. government agencies, industry, academia, citizens, and allies, for only our combined efforts will enable us to make progress in cybersecurity for the nation as a whole." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Keith B. Alexander, Richard A. McFeely, Patrick D. Gallagher, and Rand Beers.
United States. Government Printing Office
2013-06-12
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Border Insecurity: The Rise of MS-13 and Other Transnational Criminal Organizations, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 24, 2017
"This testimony compilation is from the May 24, 2017 hearing on 'Border Insecurity' held before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. From the opening statement of Ron Johnson: 'During the Committee's examination of America's unsecure borders we have learned how transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels exploit American policies and our lack of border security to advance their criminal agenda. Today we continue that important work by discussing how the street gang Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, and other Central American gangs affect communities throughout the United States.' Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Timothy D. Sini, Scott Conley, and J. Thomas Manger."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
2017-05-24
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Title X (Public Health Service Act) Family Planning Program [March 15, 2016]
"The federal government provides grants for family planning services through the Family Planning Program, Title X of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §§300 to 300a-6). Enacted in 1970, it is the only domestic federal program devoted solely to family planning and related preventive health services. In 2014, Title X-funded clinics served 4.1 million clients.
Title X is administered through the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Although the authorization of appropriations for Title X ended with FY1985, funding for the program has continued through appropriations bills for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-Education)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Napili, Angela
2016-03-15
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Title X (Public Health Service Act) Family Planning Program [September 3, 2014]
"The federal government provides grants for voluntary family planning services through the Family Planning Program, Title X of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §§300 to 300a-6). Enacted in 1970, it is the only domestic federal program devoted solely to family planning and related preventive health services. In 2012, Title X-funded clinics served 4.8 million clients. Title X is administered through the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Although the authorization of appropriations for Title X ended with FY1985, funding for the program has continued through appropriations bills for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (Labor- HHS-Education). [...] The law (42 U.S.C. §300a-6) prohibits the use of Title X funds in programs where abortion is a method of family planning. According to OPA, family planning projects that receive Title X funds are closely monitored to ensure that federal funds are used appropriately and that funds are not used for prohibited activities such as abortion. The prohibition on abortion does not apply to all the activities of a Title X grantee, but only to activities that are part of the Title X project. A grantee's abortion activities must be 'separate and distinct' from the Title X project activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Napili, Angela
2014-09-03
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Title X (Public Health Service Act) Family Planning Program [May 6, 2015]
"The federal government provides grants for voluntary family planning services through the Family Planning Program, Title X of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §§300 to 300a-6). Enacted in 1970, it is the only domestic federal program devoted solely to family planning and related preventive health services. In 2013, Title X-funded clinics served 4.6 million clients. […] Grantees continue to be required to certify that they encourage 'family participation' when minors seek family planning services and to certify that they counsel minors on how to resist attempted coercion into sexual activity. The appropriations law also clarifies that family planning providers are not exempt from state notification and reporting laws on child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest. The law (42 U.S.C. §300a-6) prohibits the use of Title X funds in programs where abortion is a method of family planning. According to OPA, family planning projects that receive Title X funds are closely monitored to ensure that federal funds are used appropriately and that funds are not used for prohibited activities such as abortion. The prohibition on abortion does not apply to all the activities of a Title X grantee, but only to activities that are part of the Title X project. A grantee's abortion activities must be 'separate and distinct' from the Title X project activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Napili, Angela
2015-05-06
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Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018, Hearing Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, May 22, 2017
This is the March 22, 2017 hearing on the "Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018," held before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations. From the opening statement of Thad Cochran: "Today, we are receiving an update on military readiness and defense budget matters. We are pleased to welcome to the committee the Honorable James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense, and General Joseph Dunford, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: James N. Mattis and Joseph Dunford, Jr.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2017-03-22
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State of Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean, Hearing Before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, March 24, 2021
This is the March 24, 2021 hearing on "State of Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean," held before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. From the opening statement of Bob Menendez: "Today we continue our series on the state of democracy in the world with a focus on the Americas. This year, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the groundbreaking manifestation of consensus in our Hemisphere that, 'the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy, and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.' Over the past 2 decades, we and our neighbors have endeavored to deepen our commitment to democratic governance, even as significant backsliding has occurred." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Luis Almagro, Deborah Ullmer, and Ryan C. Berg.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated January 28, 2008]
From the Summary: "[T]he insurgency led by supporters of the Taliban movement and Al Qaeda continues to challenge U.S. and partner country forces, particularly in the south, and to operate in areas where there is little Afghan or international presence. Uninterrupted tactical victories, such as the NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] preemption of an anticipated 2007 "spring offensive" by the Taliban, have not defeated the Taliban to date. Contributing to the violence is popular frustration with lack of economic development, official corruption, and the failure to extend Afghan government authority into rural areas. Narcotics trafficking is resisting counter-measures and funding insurgent activity. The Afghan government and some U.S. officials blame Pakistan for failing to prevent Taliban commanders from operating from Pakistan, largely beyond the reach of U.S./NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. To help stabilize Afghanistan, the United States and partner countries are deploying a 42,000 troop NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that now commands peacekeeping throughout Afghanistan, including the restive south, and running regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs), as well as building an Afghan National Army. About 27,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, of which about 15,000 are part of ISAF. The United States has given Afghanistan over $23 billion (appropriated, including FY2008 regular) since the fall of the Taliban, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. Breakdowns are shown in the several tables at the end of this paper."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-01-28
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Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated June 6, 2007]
From the Summary: "Soon after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. In 2003, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also endorsed coalition military action in Iraq, and Kazakhstan provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. U.S. policy has emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian 'front-line' states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. [...] The Administration's diverse goals in Central Asia have reflected the differing characteristics of these states. U.S. interests in Kazakhstan have included securing and eliminating Soviet-era nuclear and biological weapons materials and facilities. In Tajikistan, U.S. aid has focused on economic reconstruction. U.S. energy firms have invested in oil and natural gas development in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Economic and democratic reforms and border security have been among U.S. concerns in Kyrgyzstan. U.S. relations with Uzbekistan suffered following the Uzbek government's violent crackdown on armed and unarmed protesters in the city of Andijon in May 2005. The 110th Congress is likely to continue to be at the forefront in advocating increased U.S. ties with Central Asia, and in providing backing for use of the region as a staging area for supporting U.S.-led stabilization efforts in Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2007-06-06
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Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated May 11, 2007]
From the Summary: "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. In 2003, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also endorsed coalition military action in Iraq, and Kazakhstan provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. U.S. policy has emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian 'front-line' states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. Other strategic U.S. objectives have included promoting free markets, democratization, human rights, and energy development. Such policies aim to help the states become what the Administration considers to be responsible members of the international community rather than to degenerate into xenophobic, extremist, and anti-Western regimes that threaten international peace and stability. The Administration's diverse goals in Central Asia have reflected the differing characteristics of these states. U.S. interests in Kazakhstan have included securing and eliminating Soviet-era nuclear and biological weapons materials and facilities. In Tajikistan, U.S. aid has focused on economic reconstruction."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2007-05-11
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Navy Role in Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- Background and Issues for Congress [Updated April 16, 2007]
From the Summary: "The Navy for several years has carried out a variety of activities related to what the Administration refers to as the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The Navy's role in the GWOT raises several potential oversight issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2007-04-16
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Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated December 14, 2007]
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union [...] The second session of the 110th Congress is likely to continue to be at the forefront in advocating increased U.S. ties with Central Asia, and in providing backing for use of the region as a staging area for supporting U.S.-led stabilization efforts in Afghanistan. Congress is likely to pursue these goals through hearings and legislation on humanitarian assistance, economic development, security issues, human rights, and democratization. The July 2006 U.S.-Kyrgyzstan agreement on the continued U.S. use of airbase facilities in Kyrgyzstan included a U.S. pledge of boosted foreign assistance and other compensation, which is subject to congressional approval. Assistance for border and customs controls and other safeguards to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) will likely be ongoing congressional concerns. Congress will continue to consider whether and how to balance its concerns about human rights abuses and lagging democratization against other U.S. interests in continued engagement with the region to advance energy security and prosecute the Global War on Terror."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2007-12-14
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Homeland Security Department: FY2008 Appropriations [Updated July 17, 2007]
From the Summary: This report describes the FY2008 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Administration requested a net appropriation of $35.5 billion in net budget authority for FY2008. The requested net appropriation for major components of the department included the following: $8,783 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP); $4,168 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); $3,608 million for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); $8,457 million for the U.S. Coast Guard; $1,399 million for the Secret Service; $1,047 for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPP); $5,042 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); $30 million for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); $799 million for the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T); and $562 million for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The House passed H.R. 2638 on June 15, 2007. H.R. 2638 would provide $37.4 billion in net budget authority for DHS for FY2008. H.R. 2638 contains the following in net budget authority for major components of DHS: $8,923 million for CBP; $4,192 million for ICE; $3,842 million for the TSA; $8,352 million for the U.S. Coast Guard; $1,396 million for the Secret Service; $1,035 for the NPP; $7,239 million for FEMA; $30 million for USCIS; $777 million for S&T; and $556 million for the DNDO. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported its bill, S. 1644, on June 14, 2007. S. 1644 would provide $37.6 billion in net budget authority for DHS for FY2008."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lake, Jennifer E.; Lister, Sarah A.; Nunez-Neto, Blas
2007-07-17
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Advancing Knowledge to Reduce Gangs and Gang Violence: Perspectives from Researchers and Practitioners
From the Overview: "NIJ [National Institute of Justice] held a virtual meeting with researchers and practitioners to ensure that NIJ's investments in research on gangs and gang violence continue to close gaps in our knowledge on this topic. The goal of this meeting was twofold: first, to inform the development of evidence-based programs, policies, and practices to address problems associated with gangs and gang violence; and second, to advise NIJ on the use of robust research and evaluation methods to address problems associated with gangs and gang violence. The researchers and practitioners invited to the meeting had expertise in several areas, including gangs, program development and implementation, program evaluation and research design, firearms, violent crime, justice policy, juvenile justice, law enforcement, and corrections. [...] This report shares participants' perspectives on the topics discussed. The report may inform the priorities of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers as they make investments in studying or developing programs to address gangs and gang violence."
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Carlton, Mary Poulin
2021-06
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H. Rept. 116-143: Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2500) to Authorize Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020 for Military Activities of the Department of Defense and for Military Construction, to Prescribe Military Personnel Strengths for Such Fiscal Year, and for Other Purposes, and Providing for Consideration of Motions to Suspend the Rules, Report to Accompany H. Res. 476, July 9, 2019
This House of Representatives report discusses the consideration of Bill H.R. 2500 to authorize appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules. It outlines provisions of the resolution, explanation of waivers, committee votes, summaries of amendments, and other information related to the bill.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-07-09
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated February 15, 2008]
From the Summary: "U.S. and outside assessments of the effort to stabilize Afghanistan are mixed and subject to debate; the Administration notes progress on reconstruction, governance and security in many areas of Afghanistan. However, a November 2007 Bush Administration review of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan reportedly concluded that overall progress was inadequate, and a number of efforts to augment the U.S. stabilization effort are underway or under further consideration. Outside assessments have tended toward more pessimism, emphasizing a growing sense of insecurity in areas previously considered secure, more suicide bombings, and growing aggregate poppy cultivation, as well as increasing divisions within the NATO alliance about the relative share of combat among the nations contributing to the peacekeeping mission. […] To help stabilize Afghanistan, the United States and partner countries are deploying a 42,000 troop NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that now commands peacekeeping throughout Afghanistan, including the restive south. Of those, 15,000 of the 27,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan are part of ISAF [International Security Assistance Force]; the remainder are under direct U.S. command. The U.S. and partner forces also run regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs), and are building an Afghan National Army and National Police. The United States has given Afghanistan over $23 billion (appropriated, including FY2008 to date) since the fall of the Taliban, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. About $1.05 billion in economic aid is requested for FY2009."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2008-02-15
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El Salvador: Political, Economic, and Social Conditions and Relations with the United States [Updated June 8, 2006]
From the Summary: "Tony Saca, a businessman from the conservative National Republican Alliance (ARENA) party, was inaugurated as president for a five-year term in June 2004. President Saca is seeking to restart the country's stagnating economy, pass legislation in a polarized political environment, and combat gang violence. His legislative agenda should face continuing opposition from the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), which recovered seats it had lost due to defections in 2005 in the March 2006 legislative elections. ARENA also increased its representation in the legislature, but lacks a majority and will continue to have to rely on support from small parties to enact President Saca's agenda. In 2005, despite its tough anti-gang legislation, El Salvador posted a murder rate of 15 people per day, the highest in the hemisphere. In February 2006, the Bush Administration extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of eligible Salvadoran migrants living in the United States until September 9, 2007. On March 1, 2006, El Salvador became the first country in the region to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DRCAFTA) with the United States. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2006-06-08
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Best Practices for Family Support Programs: A Call to Action
From the Document: "This comprehensive project focused on strengthening programs that help families support officers in mental or emotional crises or considering suicide. The suite of six publications includes four reports documenting innovative interventions currently being used around the country, one protocol for agencies on how to address an officer suicide, and a resources abstract. This publication, 'Best Practices for Family Programs: A Call to Action,' highlights agencies that are presently using law enforcement family programs as part of their training, reviews what experts are reporting as the imperative components for successful law enforcement programs, and creates a call to action to make recommendations for modeling or implementing more programs for law enforcement families."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Palomino de Velasco, Barbara; Mallett, Tracy; Schulz, Donna
2021
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated September 10, 2007]
From the Summary: "Assessments of the U.S. effort to stabilize Afghanistan are mixed. The political transition was completed with the convening of a parliament in December 2005, but since 2006 insurgent threats to Afghanistan's government have escalated. In the political process, a new constitution was adopted in January 2004, successful presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004, and parliamentary elections took place on September 18, 2005. The parliament has become an arena for factions that have fought each other for nearly three decades to debate and peacefully resolve differences. […] In 2006 and 2007, the insurgency led by remnants of the former Taliban regime has escalated after four years of relatively minor violence. Contributing to the renewed violence is popular frustration with lack of economic development, official corruption, and the failure to extend Afghan government authority into rural areas. […] U.S. and partner stabilization measures include strengthening the central government and its security forces. The United States and other countries are building an Afghan National Army, deploying a 39,000 troop NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization]-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that now commands peacekeeping throughout Afghanistan, and running regional enclaves to secure reconstruction (Provincial Reconstruction Teams, PRTs). Approximately 27,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, of which all but about 12,000 are under NATO/ISAF command. To build security institutions and assist reconstruction, the United States has given Afghanistan over $21 billion since the fall of the Taliban, including funds to equip and train Afghan security forces. Breakdowns are shown in the several tables at the end of this paper. Pending legislation, H.R. 2446, would reauthorize the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2007-09-10