Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs articles from October 2009

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs archives from October 2009

Afghanistan: politics, elections, and government performance.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Post-Taliban Transition and Political Landscape Overview of Governance Many Traditional Patterns Endure Afghan Politics: Karzai and His Opponents The Opposition and Its Strength Government Capacity and Performance ...

The global financial crisis: analysis and policy implications.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... October 2, 2009 Summary The world is near the bottom of a global recession that is causing widespread business contraction, increases in unemployment, and shrinking government revenues. Although recent data indicate the large...

Recent Developments and Analysis.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)
October 1, 2009... September 24-25. At the Group of 20 Summit held in Pittsburgh, world leaders agreed to make the G-20 the leading forum for coordinating global economic policy; not to withdraw stimulus measures until a durable recovery is in place; to...

The global financial crisis and U.S. interests.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)
October 1, 2009... Policymaking to deal with the global financial crisis and ensuing global recession has now moved from containing the contagion to specific actions aimed at promoting recovery and changing regulations to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem....

New challenges and policy in managing financial risk.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)
October 1, 2009... The Challenges The actions of the United States and other nations in coping with the global financial crisis first aimed to contain the contagion, minimize losses to society, restore confidence in financial institutions and instruments, and...

Origins, contagion, and risk.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Financial crises of some kind occur sporadically virtually every decade and in various locations around the world. Financial meltdowns have occurred in countries ranging from Sweden to Argentina, from Russia to Korea, from the United Kingdom to...

Effects on emerging markets.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Report)
October 1, 2009... The global credit crunch that began in August 2007 has led to a financial crisis in emerging market countries (see box) that is being viewed as greater in both scope and effect than the East Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 or the Latin...

Effects on Europe and the European response.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)
October 1, 2009... Some European countries (161) initially viewed the financial crisis as a purely American phenomenon. That view changed as economic activity Europe declined at a fast pace over a short period of time. Making matters worse, global trade declined...

Impact on Asia and the Asian response.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Essay)
October 1, 2009... Many Asian economies have been through wrenching financial crises in the past 10-15 years. Although most observers say the region's economic fundamentals have improved greatly in the past decade, this crisis has provided a worrying sense of deja...

Appendix A. Major recent actions and events of the international financial crisis.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)
October 1, 2009... 2009 October 2. American nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline in September, losing 263,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate rose from 9.4% in July to 9.7% in August, and now to 9.8% in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...

Appendix B. Stimulus packages announced by governments.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Table)
October 1, 2009... Appendix B. Stimulus Packages Announced by Governments Date Announced Country $Billion Status, Package Contents 17-Feb-09 United 787.00 Infrastructure technology, States tax cuts,...

Appendix C. Comparison of selected financial regulatory reform proposals.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Table)
October 1, 2009... This appendix provides a comparison, in graphic form, of selected proposals for regulatory reform that have been put forward in the wake of the global financial crisis. Seven such proposals are covered in the table below. They are, in...

Appendix D. British, U.S., and European central bank operations, April to Mid-October 2008.(The Global Financial Crisis: Analysis and Policy Implications)(Table)
October 1, 2009... Appendix D. British, U.S., and European Central Bank Operations, April to Mid-October 2008 Bank of England Federal Reserve May Announced that Expanded size of ...

Iran: U.S. concerns and policy responses.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... October 5, 2009 Summary President Obama has said his Administration shares the goals of previous Administrations to contain Iran's strategic capabilities and regional influence. The Administration has not changed the previous...

Political history.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)
October 1, 2009... Much of the debate over U.S. policy toward Iran has centered on the nature of the current regime; some believe that Iran, a country of about 70 million people, is a threat to U.S. interests because hardliners in Iran's regime dominate and set a...

Regime structure, stability, and elections.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)
October 1, 2009... About a decade after founding the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died on June 3, 1989. The regime he established-enshrined in an Islamic republican constitution adopted in October 1979 and amended in a national referendum of April...

Human rights and dissent.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)(Essay)
October 1, 2009... Prior to the election unrest, the regime appeared to have a firm grip on power, in part because it vigorously suppresses dissent and limits freedoms. The sections below discuss a number of activists and dissident groups that have been repressed...

Iran's strategic capabilities and weapons of mass destruction programs.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)(Essay)
October 1, 2009... Many in the Obama Administration share the Bush Administration's assessment, encapsulated in a March 16, 2006 "National Security Strategy" document, that the United States "may face no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran."...

Foreign policy and support for terrorist groups.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)
October 1, 2009... Iran's foreign policy is a product of the ideology of Iran's Islamic revolution, blended with longstanding national interests. Some interpret Iran's objectives as the overturning of the power structure in the Middle East, which Iran believes...

U.S. policy responses, options, and legislation.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)
October 1, 2009... The February 11, 1979 fall of the Shah of Iran, a key U.S. ally, opened the long and deep rift in U.S.-Iranian relations. On November 4, 1979, radical "students" seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held its diplomats hostage until minutes...

Conclusion.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)
October 1, 2009... Mistrust between the United States and Iran's Islamic regime has run deep for almost three decades, and many argue that it is unlikely to be quickly overcome, even if the Obama Administration initiates--and Iran accepts--comprehensive direct...

Poverty in the United States: 2008.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Trends in Poverty Definition of Poverty Poverty Among Selected Groups Racial and Ethnic Minorities Nativity and Citizenship Status Children Adults with Low Education, Unemployment, or Disability The Aged Receipt of...

Iraq: regional perspectives and U.S. policy.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Common Questions, Unique Concerns The Regional Strategic Balance and Political Stability Sectarian and Ethnic Politics and Violence Transnational and Nationalist Terrorism Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons ...

Afghanistan: post-Taliban governance, security, and U.S. Policy.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... October 6, 2009 Summary Upon taking office, the Obama Administration faced a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan, despite a build-up of U.S. forces there in preceding years, including an expanding militant presence in some...

Background.(Afghanistan: Post Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
October 1, 2009... From Early History to the 19th Century From the third to the eighth century, A.D., Buddhism was the dominant religion in Afghanistan. In the 10th century, Muslim rulers called Samanids, from Bukhara (in what is now Uzbekistan), extended their...

Post-Taliban nation building.(Afghanistan: Post Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)
October 1, 2009... With Afghanistan devastated after more than 20 years of warfare, the fall of the Taliban paved the way for the success of a long-stalled U.N. effort to form a broad-based Afghan government and for a U.S.-led coalition to begin building...

Security policy and force capacity building.(Afghanistan: Post Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)(Report)
October 1, 2009... The U.S. definition of "victory" in Afghanistan, articulated since 2001, has been to build and Afghan government and security force that can defend itself as economic growth and development takes hold. The Obama Administration review, the...

Regional context.(Afghanistan: Post Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Most of Afghanistan's neighbors believed that the fall of the Taliban would stabilize the region, but like-minded militants now threaten the government of Pakistan. Six of Afghanistan's neighbors signed a non-interference pledge (Kabul...

U.S. and International aid to Afghanistan and development issues.(Afghanistan: Post Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Many experts have long believed that accelerating economic development would do more to improve the security situation--and to eliminate narcotics trafficking--than intensified antiTaliban combat. This belief appears to underpin the Obama...

Residual issues from past conflicts.(Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance Security, and U.S. Policy)
October 1, 2009... 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. U.S. and international sanctions lifted.(Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance Security, and U.S. Policy)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2009... 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. * P.L. 108-458 (December 17, 2004, referencing the 9/11 Commission...

Iran sanctions.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Overview The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) Key Provisions/"Triggers" and Available Sanctions Waiver and Termination Authority Effectiveness and Ongoing Challenges Energy Routes and Refinery Investment ...

European Union enlargement: a status report on Turkey's accession negotiations.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... Contents The EU Accession Process The Cyprus Dilemma Turkey's Initial Path to European Union Accession Current Status of Turkey's Accession Possible U.S. Perspectives Assessment Contacts Author Contact Information October 8, 2009 Summary...

The debate over selected presidential assistants and advisors: appointment, accountability, and congressional oversight.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... October 9, 2009 Summary A number of the appointments made by President Barack Obama to his Administration or by Cabinet Secretaries to their departments have been referred to, especially by the news media, as "czars." For some, the term is...

Introduction.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)
October 1, 2009... A number of the appointments made by President Barack Obama to his Administration or by Cabinet Secretaries to their departments have been referred to, especially by the news media, as "czars." (1) For some, the term is being used to quickly...

Background.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)
October 1, 2009... Every American President, since George Washington, has needed advice and assistance. The President's Committee on Administrative Management (commonly referred to as the Brownlow Commission), which had been established by President Franklin D....

Selected special assistants and advisors in the Obama administration.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)
October 1, 2009... As noted above, the term "czar" has been used as a shorthand reference to a number of appointments made by President Obama or his Cabinet Secretaries. The discussion that follows presents selected examples of appointments so designated in the...

Appointments Clause and Presidential advisors. (The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight).
October 1, 2009... Concern has been raised that the President's hiring, or use, of various presidential advisors circumvents the requirements of the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. (211) The Appointments Clause establishes that the President ...

Congressional Oversight of Presidential advisors.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)(Essay)
October 1, 2009... Congress's Oversight Authority Generally, Congress's legal authority to obtain information, including, but not limited to, confidential, sensitive, or deliberative information, is extremely broad. While there is no express provision of the...

Options for potential congressional consideration.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)
October 1, 2009... In examining the concerns surrounding presidential advisors, Congress may decide that no action is needed. However, should it decide otherwise, there are some legislative and non-legislative options. Legislative options Option: Report and...

Appendix.(The Debate Over Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight)(Table)
October 1, 2009... Table A-1. Selected Legislation Introduced in the 111th Congress Related to Selected Appointments in the Administration of Barack Obama, as of October 1, 2009 Legislation Sponsor Date Introduced H.Amdt. 49 to ...

Presidential terms and tenure: perspectives and proposals for change.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Terms and Tenure in the Constitution The Philadelphia Convention: Debate and Decisions on Terms and Tenure Vice Presidential Vacancies: A Constitutional Oversight? Patterns in Presidential Tenure Presidential...

The U.S. Secret Service: an examination and analysis of its evolving missions.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction U.S. Secret Service Missions Investigations Protection Historical Overview of USSS Statutes Investigation Mission Protection Mission Policy Questions Missions Organization Department of the...

Afghanistan: politics, elections, and government performance.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Post-Taliban Transition and Political Landscape Overview of Governance Many Traditional Patterns Endure Afghan Politics: Karzai and His Opponents The Opposition and Its Strength Government Capacity and Performance ...

U.S. accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Overview of U.S. Interests in the TAC, ASEAN, and Southeast Asia Motivations for and Reservations Against Acceding to the TAC U.S. Interests in Southeast Asia ASEAN's History and Evolution Overview of TAC...

Mandatory vaccinations: precedent and current laws.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents History and Precedent State Mandatory Vaccination Laws School Vaccination Requirements Health Care Workers Vaccination Orders During a Public Health Emergency Model State Emergency Health Powers Act Role of the Federal...

Zimbabwe: the power sharing agreement and implications for U.S. policy.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Background March 2008 Elections Was ZANU-PF Planning for a Coalition Government? Post-Election Violence The Power-Sharing Agreement The Transitional Government Economic Reforms Made, but Challenges Remain ...

Tanzania: background and current conditions.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Background Politics President Kikwete Economy HIV/AIDS Regional Role Human Rights Conditions U.S. Relations Contacts Author Contact Information October 27, 2009 Summary Tanzania, an important U.S. ally in...

U.S. fossil fuel resources: terminology, reporting, and summary.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Characteristics of Fossil Fuels Terminology Proved Reserves and Undiscovered Resources The Importance of Terminology: The Example of the Bakken Formation Conventional Versus Unconventional Oil and Natural...

The United Arab Emirates nuclear program and proposed U.S. nuclear cooperation.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents The United Arab Emirates: Background and U.S. Relations The United Arab Emirates Nuclear Program Rationale Development Plans Current Infrastructure and Regulatory Regime Proposed U.S.-UAE Cooperation Memorandum of...

Systemic risk and the federal reserve.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents What is Systemic Risk? What Are Sources of Systemic Risk? Runs and Liquidity Too Big to Fail or Systemically Important Firms Leverage Payment, Settlement, and Clearing Systems Regulatory Gaps, Discretion, and Information...

Iraq: post-Saddam governance and security.(Congressional Research Service)
October 1, 2009... October 28, 2009 Summary The Obama Administration is facing a security environment in Iraq vastly improved over that which prevailed during 2005-2007, although still not completely peaceful or without potential to deteriorate...

Policy in the 1990s emphasized containment.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
October 1, 2009... 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.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
October 1, 2009... 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. (12) Some...

Post-Saddam transition and governance.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
October 1, 2009... 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 Islamic militancy. The formal political transition from the Saddam regime to representative government is...

Economic reconstruction and U.S. assistance.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
October 1, 2009... The Bush Administration asserted that economic reconstruction would contribute to stability. (31) Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a total of about $50 billion has been appropriated for reconstruction funding (including security forces). A...

Security challenges and responses.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)
October 1, 2009... Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the United States has employed a multi-faceted approach to securing Iraq. In late 2006, the effort was determined by the Administration to be faltering as violence and U.S. casualties escalated. However, a...

Iraq study group report, legislative proposals, and options for the Obama Administration.(Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security)(Report)
October 1, 2009... A key question is what options the Obama Administration might consider if security in Iraq deteriorates as the United States reduces its military and political involvement there. (43) On the other hand, the U.S. withdrawal plan appears set and...

U.S.-Vietnam economic and trade relations: issues for the 111th Congress.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Vietnam's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Application Compliance with Eligibility Criteria Is Vietnam a "Communist" Country? Workers' Rights IPR Protection Congressional Implications...

The 2009 influenza pandemic: selected legal issues.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Introduction Emergency Measures Emergency Authorities Public Health Emergency Authorities National Emergencies Act Declarations Stafford Act Declarations Section 1135 Waivers or Modifications Emergency...

Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) set to expire in 2009.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Overview Background Distinction Between FISA Court Orders and Warrants in Criminal Investigations Distinction Between FISA Court Orders and National Security Letters Expiring FISA Amendments "Lone Wolf" Terrorists ...

Unconventional gas shales: development, technology, and policy issues.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Background Unconventional Gas Shale Resources in the United States Barnett Shale Formation Natural Gas Resource Potential Southwest Regional Gas Supply and Demand Groundwater Resource Issues Marcellus Shale...

Jordan: background and U.S. relations.(Congressional Research Service)(Report)
October 1, 2009... Contents Latest Developments Overview Domestic Politics and the Economy The Hashemite Royal Family Parliament, Constitution, and Elections The 1993 Election Law 2007 Parliamentary Elections The Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood...