Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs articles from June 2008

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs archives from June 2008

Iraq: post-Saddam governance and security: updated June 4, 2008.(CRS Report for Congress)(Saddam Hussein)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 4, 2008 Iraq has not previously had experience with a democratic form of government, although parliamentary elections were held during the period of British rule under a League of Nations mandate (from 1920 until Iraq's...

Policy in the 1990s emphasized containment: updated June 4, 2008.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Prior to the January 16, 1991, launch of Operation Desert Storm to reverse Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, President George H.W. Bush called on the Iraqi people to overthrow Saddam. That Administration decided not to try to do so...

Post-September 11, 2001: regime change and war: updated June 4, 2008.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Several senior Bush Administration officials had long been advocates of a regime change policy toward Iraq, but the difficulty of that strategy led the Bush Administration initially to continue its predecessor's containment policy. (11) Some...

Post-Saddam transition and governance: updated June 4, 2008.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... According to statements by President Bush, U.S. goals are for an Iraq that can sustain, govern, and defend itself and is a partner in the global war on terrorism. Administration officials have, for the most part, dropped an earlier stated...

Security challenges and responses: updated June 4, 2008.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the United States has employed a multifaceted approach to stabilizing Iraq. In late 2006, the effort was determined by the Administration to be faltering due to continuing sectarian violence superimposed on a...

Iraq study group report, legislative proposals, and other options: updated June 4, 2008.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... In formulating the "troop surge" strategy announced on January 10, 2007, President Bush said he weighed the December 6, 2006, report of the Iraq Study Group, as well as input from several other reviews, including one directed by the Joint...

Farm bill legislative action in the 110th Congress.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 13, 2008 Contents Overview Congressional Action Legislative Development Brief Bill Comparison Projected Cost 2002 Farm Bill Extension The Administration's Reaction and Recommendations Summary...

Iraq: reconciliation and benchmarks.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Elections and Constitutional Referendum in 2005 After about one year of occupation, the United States handed sovereignty to an appointed Iraqi government on June 28, 2004. A government and a constitution were voted on thereafter, in line...

Afghanistan: post-war governance, security, and U.S. policy.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 6, 2008

Background to recent developments.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... Prior to the founding of a monarchy in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Durrani, Afghanistan was territory inhabited by tribes and tribal confederations linked to neighboring nations, not a distinct entity. King Amanullah Khan (1919-1929) launched attacks...

Post-war stabilization and reconstruction.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... The war paved the way for the success of a decade-long U.N. effort to form a broad-based Afghan government; the United Nations was viewed as a credible mediator by all sides largely because of its role in ending the Soviet occupation. During...

Post-war security operations and force capacity building.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... The top security priority of the Administration has been to prevent Al Qaeda and the Taliban from challenging the Afghan government. The pillars of the U.S. security effort are (1) continuing combat operations by U.S. forces and a NATO-led...

Regional context.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... Although most of Afghanistan's neighbors believe that the fall of the Taliban has stabilized the region, some experts believe that some neighboring governments are attempting to manipulate Afghanistan's factions to their advantage, even...

U.S. and international aid to Afghanistan and development issues.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... Many experts believe that financial assistance and accelerating reconstruction would do more to improve the security situation than intensified anti-Taliban combat. Afghanistan's economy and society are still fragile after decades of warfare...

Residual issues from past conflicts.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... A few issues remain unresolved from Afghanistan's many years of conflict, such as Stinger retrieval and mine eradication. Stinger Retrieval. Beginning in late 1985 following internal debate, the Reagan Administration provided about 2,000...

Appendix A. U.S. and international sanctions lifted.(Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
June 1, 2008... Virtually all U.S. and international sanctions on Afghanistan, some imposed during the Soviet occupation era and others on the Taliban regime, have now been lifted. * On January 10, 2003, President Bush signed a proclamation making...

Iran's activities and influence in Iraq.(CRS Report for Congress)(Report)
June 1, 2008... Background Iran's activities and influence in Iraq affect the U.S. effort to stabilize Iraq and heighten U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional ambitions. With the conventional military and weapons of mass destruction...

The strategic petroleum reserve: history, perspectives, and issues.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 6, 2008 Contents History of the SPR Establishment of the SPR Acquisition of Crude Oil for the SPR Royalty-in-Kind Acquisition The Drawdown Authorities The SPR and Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita...

U.S.-Russian civilian nuclear cooperation agreement: issues for Congress.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... At their July 2006 summit in St. Petersburg, Presidents Bush and Putin issued a Joint Statement in which they pledged to start negotiations on a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. The Presidents initialed a negotiated text of the...

United Nations system efforts to address violence against women.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 3, 2008 Contents Current Status Issues for Congress Priorities and Resource Allocation Funding U.N. Anti-VAW Efforts United States Anti-VAW Activities in U.N. Fora U.N. Definition of Violence Against Women...

Climate change: current issues and policy tools.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 3, 2008 Contents Introduction Part One: Current Climate Change Issues Climate Change Science Observed Changes in Global Climate Causes of Observed Climate Change Sources of GHG Emissions,...

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): what is it, and how might one be utilized in Iraq?(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 16, 2008 Contents Introduction Multilateral vs. Bilateral SOFAs Provisions of Status of Forces Agreements Civil/Criminal Jurisdiction Status Determinations Authority to Fight Other Provisions Such as...

Iraq: reconciliation and benchmarks.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Elections and Constitutional Referendum in 2005 After about one year of occupation, the United States handed sovereignty to an appointed Iraqi government on June 28, 2004. In line with a March 8, 2004, "Transitional Administrative Law"...

Iran's nuclear program: status.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 23, 2008 Contents Background Recent Nuclear Controversy Iran's Cooperation with the IAEA Status of Iran's Nuclear Programs Uranium Enrichment Arak Reactor Bushehr Reactor Does Iran Have a...

U.S.-Russian civilian nuclear cooperation agreement: issues for congress.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... At their July 2006 summit in St. Petersburg, Presidents Bush and Putin issued a Joint Statement in which they pledged to start negotiations on a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. The Presidents initialed a negotiated text of the...

Cluster munitions: background and issues for Congress.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... What Are Cluster Munitions? (1) Cluster munitions are weapons that open in midair and dispense smaller submunitions--anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds--into an area. They can be delivered by aircraft or from ground systems such as...

The foreign intelligence surveillance act: comparison of the senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the house amendment to the senate amendment to H.R. 3773.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 12, 2008

Introduction.(The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773)
June 1, 2008... Recent media reports suggest possible movement in the negotiations on legislation to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). (1) These negotiations are the most recent development in a wide range of legislative and oversight...

Legislative activity.(The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773)
June 1, 2008... On August 5, 2007, the Protect America Act of 2007 (PAA), P.L. 110-55, was enacted into law with a 180-day sunset provision, providing a temporary solution to concerns raised by the Director of National Intelligence. On January 28, 2008, a...

Summary of selected portions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House amendment to the Senate amendment.(The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773)
June 1, 2008... Both the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 include amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The House amendment differs in a number of ways from the Senate-passed...

Glossary of FISA terms from 50 U.S.C. [section] 1801.(The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773)
June 1, 2008... As used in title I of FISA, 50 U.S.C. [section] 1801 et seq.: (a) "Foreign power" means -- (1) a foreign government or any component thereof, whether or not recognized by the United States; (2) a faction of a foreign nation or...

Table 1. Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773.(Part 1)
June 1, 2008... Table 1. Comparison of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 H.R. 3773 (S. 2248) as passed by H.R. 3773--House Amendment to the the Senate Senate...

Table 1. Comparison of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773.(Part 2)
June 1, 2008... H.R. 3773 (S. 2248) as passed by H.R. 3773--House Amendment to the the Senate Senate Amendment Limitations: Limitations: --if a U.S. person so targeted is Similar, but not...

Table 1. Comparison of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3773.(Part 3)
June 1, 2008... H.R. 3773 (S. 2248) as passed by H.R. 3773--House Amendment to the the Senate Senate Amendment Statute of Limitations No similar provision. Section 112 of the House bill ...

International drug control policy.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 23, 2008 Contents Introduction U.S. National Drug Control Strategy Funding Agency Roles International Drug Control Tools Multilateral Cooperation Foreign Assistance Sanctions "Drug Majors" and the...

Possible federal revenue from oil development of ANWR and nearby areas.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 23, 2008 Contents Key Assumptions and Caveats Projected Total Revenues: Corporate Tax Receipts and Royalties Projected Corporate Income Tax Revenues Oil Output Production Costs Federal Royalties Recent high...

Wind power in the United States: technology, economic, and policy issues.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 20, 2008 Contents Introduction Background The Rise of Wind Benefits and Drawbacks of Wind Power Wind Resources and Technology Wind Power Fundamentals Physical Relationships Wind Resources ...

Defense: FY2009 authorization and appropriations.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 18, 2008 Contents Most Recent Developments Highlights of the House-Passed Defense Authorization Bill Highlights of the Senate Committee-Reported Defense Authorization Bill Overview of the Administration...

Post-September 11, 2001: Regime change and war.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Several senior Bush Administration officials had long been advocates of a regime change policy toward Iraq, but the difficulty of that strategy led the Bush Administration initially to continue its predecessor's containment policy. (11) Some...

Post-Saddam transition and governance.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... According to statements by the Administration, U.S. goals are for a unified, democratic, and federal Iraq that can sustain, govern, and defend itself and is an ally in the global war on terrorism. Administration officials have, for the most...

Security challenges and responses.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the United States has employed a multifaceted approach to stabilizing Iraq. In late 2006, the effort was determined by the Administration to be faltering due to continuing sectarian violence superimposed on a...

Iraq study group report, legislative proposals, and other options.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... In formulating the "troop surge" strategy announced on January 10, 2007, President Bush said he weighed the December 6, 2006, report of the Iraq Study Group, as well as input from several other reviews, including one directed by the Joint...

Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 26, 2008 Iraq has not previously had experience with a democratic form of government, although parliamentary elections were held during the period of British rule under a League of Nations mandate (from 1920 until Iraq's...

Policy in the 1990s Emphasized containment.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
June 1, 2008... Prior to the January 16, 1991, launch of Operation Desert Storm to reverse Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, President George H.W. Bush called on the Iraqi people to overthrow Saddam. That Administration decided not to try to do so...

The budget for fiscal year 2009.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 30, 2008 Contents Overview Budget Totals Outlays and Budget Authority Budget Estimates and Proposals CBO Baseline Projections CBO Analysis of the President's Budget Administration...

Iran's economy.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 12, 2008 Contents Introduction Background Overview of Iran's Economy Economic Growth Inflation Unemployment Economic Policy and Reform Efforts Third Five-Year Plan (2000-2004) Fourth...

The cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global war on terror operations since 9/11.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 23, 2008

Introduction.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has initiated three military operations: * Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) covering Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror (GWOT) operations ranging from the...

Potential war cost issues for the 110th Congress.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... This report is designed to answer the frequently asked questions below as well as to address some of the major war cost issues likely to be faced in the 110th Congress. Potential issues include: * How much has Congress appropriated in...

War cost estimates through FY2008 request.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... CRS has estimated the allocation of all DOD budget authority (BA) by the three operations--Iraq, Afghanistan, and enhanced security--because DOD has not done so. Although DOD has reported the total amount appropriated for the Global War on...

Trends in war funding.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... The total cost for all three operations--Iraq, Afghanistan, and other GWOT and enhanced security--has risen steeply since the 9/11 attacks primarily because of higher DOD spending in Iraq. Annual war appropriations more than doubled from...

War cost issues for the 110th Congress.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... The following sections discuss several war cost issues that may arise during consideration of DOD's pending FY2008 Supplemental War Request of some $101 billion including: * How long the Army can operate before passage of the FY2008...

Problems in war cost estimates and reporting.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... GAO, CBO and CRS have all testified to Congress about the limited transparency in DOD' war cost estimating and reporting. (94) While DOD has provided considerably more justification material for its war cost requests beginning with the FY2007...

Appendix. DOD tools to extend financing war cost.(The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11)
June 1, 2008... Based on an analysis of past obligations, current funding and DOD authorities, CRS estimates that DOD could continue to finance war costs for an additional one to two months by using currently available tools such as transfer authority to...

Boumediene v. Bush: Guantanamo detainees': right to habeas corpus.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 16, 2008 Contents Background Application of MCA to Pending Habeas Actions Constitutional Right to Habeas Adequacy of Habeas Corpus Substitute Implications of Boumediene In the consolidated cases of...

What is the "farm bill"?(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... What Is the "Farm Bill"? Federal farm support, food assistance, agricultural trade, marketing, and rural development policies are governed by a variety of separate laws. Although many of these policies can be and sometimes are modified...

Gasoline prices: causes of increases and congressional response.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 17, 2008 Contents Most Recent Developments Background and Analysis Legislative Activities Why Are Prices So High? Crude Oil Prices Gasoline Prices Policy Options Oil-Related...

International trade and rules of origin: implications of globalized manufacturing.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... June 10, 2008 Contents Introduction Rules of Origin in U.S. Practice Non-Preferential Rules of Origin International Agreements on ROO Preferential Rules of Origin Pros and Cons of U.S. Rules of Origin Methodology...

Satellite surveillance: domestic issues.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 27, 2008 Contents Background Current Policies The Independent Study Group National Applications Office (NAO) Legal Considerations Constitutional Rights Searches and Non-searches Distinguished ...

Defense contracting in Iraq: issues and options for Congress.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 18, 2008 Contents Introduction Purpose and Scope Air Force Contract Augmentation Program Logistics Civil Augmentation Program LOGCAP Contracts (1992-2007) LOGCAP IV Contract Awards ...

U.S. civilian space policy priorities: reflections 50 years after Sputnik.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 20, 2008 Contents Sputnik and America's "Sputnik Moment" Why Was Sputnik So Influential? Why Is Sputnik Important to Today's Policies? What Are the Activities of Other Nations and the Commercial Sector in Space...

Central Asia: regional developments and implications for U.S. interests.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 11, 2008 Contents Most Recent Developments Historical Background Overview of U.S. Policy Concerns Post-September 11 and Afghanistan Support for Operation Iraqi Freedom Fostering Pro-Western...

Long-range ballistic missile defense in Europe.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 13, 2008 Contents Introduction The Threat The System The Location Poland Czech Republic Policy Issues Debate in Poland and the Czech Republic European Response Congressional Actions ...

Kosovo and U.S. policy: background to independence.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 20, 2008 Contents Introduction and Most Recent Developments U.S. Policy Overview War in Kosovo: February 1998-June 1999 Post-1999 Developments in Kosovo Kosovo's Governing Institutions 2007 Elections...

Burma: economic sanctions.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... The following table provides summary information on existing Burma sanctions. Future Options to Expand Sanctions In response to the Burmese government's suppression of demonstrations at the end of September 2007, the Bush...

EU-U.S. economic ties: framework, scope, and magnitude.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 12, 2008 Contents U.S. Interests The Framework of U.S.-EU Economic Ties U.S.-EU Trade in Goods and Services U.S.-EU Investment Flows and Positions Conclusions and Policy Implications CRS Reports The...

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended: its history and current issues.(CRS Report for Congress)
June 1, 2008... Updated June 12, 2008

Recent developments.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... H.R. 5971, American Elections Act of 2008 (Heller), which was introduced on May 6, 2008, would require that in elections for federal office ballots be printed only in English, effective November 2008. The bill would amend Section 203 of the...

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-110).(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect the voting rights of American citizens. The act was amended in 1970, 1975, 1982 and 1992 and the following provisions reflect those changes. (26) Major provisions of the Voting...

The Voting Rights Amendments of 1970 (P.L. 91-285).(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... Following the 1965 Act, the registration of nearly one million new black voters was recorded. The litigation record following passage of the act, a report of the Commission on Civil Rights, and testimony at congressional hearings, however,...

The Voting Rights Amendments of 1975 (P.L. 94-73).(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... In 1975, the Voting Rights Act came up for extension again. The Justice Department urged another five-year extension of the special coverage provisions of the act, until 1980, arguing the need to bring black political participation to levels...

The Voting Rights Amendments of 1982 (P.L. 97-205).(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... On August 6, 1982, jurisdictions originally covered by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 could have sought release from its provisions by showing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that they had not used a discriminatory...

The Voting Rights Amendments of 1992. (P.L. 102-344).(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... In 1992, Congress passed the Voting Rights Language Assistance Act, which amended Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Language Assistance Act requires election officials in states and political subdivisions with...

Current major provisions of the act.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... Following is a summary of the major provisions of the Voting Rights Act including amendments of the VRA 2006 (P.L. 109-246) which will become effective in August 2007. (119) Coverage (Section 4(b)) (120) A state or political...

Presidential election of 2000.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... On November 7, 2000, American citizens went to the polls to cast their votes for President of the United States. Not everyone's vote, however, was counted. Some charge that election irregularities and minority vote dilution involving African...

107th Congress.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... Many legislative proposals to address electoral reforms were introduced in the 107th Congress. (160) Bills, however, that would have changed provisions of the Voting Rights Act included H.R. 280 (King), H.Res. 139 (Cummings), and S. 738...

108th Congress.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... On February 26, 2003, Representative King introduced H.R. 931, The National Language Act of 2003. H.R. 931 would have repealed bilingual voting requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. The bill would have also terminated...

109th Congress.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... The 109th Congress considered a number of proposals concerning the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. Among them were H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act of 2005 (Steve King), H.R. 4408 the National Language...

110th Congress.(The Voting Rights Act of 1965, As Amended: Its History and Current Issues)
June 1, 2008... Bills introduced in the 110th Congress that would amend the VRA include H.R. 745, H.R. 1281, H.R. 5971, S. 188 and S. 453. Bilingual Provisions H.R. 5971, American Elections Act of 2008 (Heller), would require that during elections...