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open access

Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy In Brief

Description: This report provides an overview of current political and military dynamics, with a focus on the Trump Administration's new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia, the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan military operations, and recent political developments, including prospects for peace talks and elections.
Date: September 17, 2018
Creator: Thomas, Clayton
open access

American War and Military Operations Casualties: Lists and Statistics

Description: This report provides U.S. war casualty statistics compiled from various Department of Defense (DOD) sources (listed at end). The first data table lists the number of casualties among American military personnel who served in principal wars and combat operations from 1775 to the present. Subsequent tables provide more specific information by conflict about the demographics of soldiers killed or wounded in action and information such as race and ethnicity, gender, branch of service, home state, a… more
Date: September 14, 2018
Creator: DeBruyne, Nese F.
open access

Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response

Description: This report discusses the ongoing conflict in Syria and U.S. policy regarding the conflict and potential resolutions. It includes information on the recent U.S., French, and British joint missile strike in response to the the use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria by Syrian government forces.
Date: September 21, 2018
Creator: Humud, Carla E.; Nikitin, Mary Beth D. & Blanchard, Christopher M.
open access

China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean

Description: This report discusses the bilateral partnership agreements the People's Republic of China (PRC) has signed with multiple countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region, including "strategic partnerships" with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. The report also discusses concerns and considerations U.S. policymakers may want to address in response to these partnerships.
Date: September 18, 2018
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P. & Lum, Thomas
open access

Civilian Nuclear Waste Disposal

Description: This report discusses disposal of nuclear waste, primarily highly-radioactive spent fuel from nuclear power plants, including: Presidential and Congressional actions regarding nuclear waste disposal sites and the Yucca Mountain Project, other alternatives previously proposed by the Obama Administration, and temporary solutions.
Date: September 6, 2018
Creator: Holt, Mark
open access

Conflict in Mali

Description: This report outlines the security and governance challenges that Mali has faced since the 2011-2013 crisis that devastated the military, central government institutions, and northern populations and the peace accord that followed in 2015.
Date: September 19, 2018
Creator: Arieff, Alexis
open access

Congressional Primer on Responding to Major Disasters and Emergencies

Description: This report provides information to aid policymakers related to the laws and administrative policies governing the disaster response and recovery process. It also reviews the legislative framework for providing federal financial assistance following disasters, as well as the policies the executive branch employs to provide supplemental help to state (or territory), tribal, and local governments during time of disasters.
Date: September 13, 2018
Creator: Brown, Jared T. & Lindsay, Bruce R.
open access

The Congressional Review Act: Determining Which "Rules" Must Be Submitted to Congress

Description: This report describes what types of agency actions can be overturned using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by providing a close examination and discussion of the statutory definition of a "rule." It also explains how Members can use the CRA to overturn agency rules that have not been submitted to Congress.
Date: September 24, 2018
Creator: Brannon, Valerie C. & Carey, Maeve P.
open access

Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress

Description: This report examines U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 115th Congress in three sections: Cuba's political and economic environment; U.S. policy toward Cuba; and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations, including restrictions on travel and trade, funding for democracy and human rights projects in Cuba and for U.S. government-sponsored radio and television broadcasting, migration, anti-drug cooperation, U.S. property claims, and U.S. fugitives from justice in Cuba.
Date: September 1, 2018
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
open access

Efforts to Preserve Economic Benefits of the Iran Nuclear Deal

Description: This report discusses efforts by the non-U.S. parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)--the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, the European Union (EU) and Iran--to preserve the accord after the United States announced they would cease implementation.
Date: September 7, 2018
Creator: Cimino-Isaacs, Cathleen D.; Katzman, Kenneth & Mix, Derek E.
open access

Electric Grid Cybersecurity

Description: This report discusses the current state of electric grid cybersecurity, and the interconnected dependency of critical infrastructure with regard to electric sector reliability. It includes discussions of recent developments, cyber and physical security, threats to the grid and supply chain risks, use of artificial intelligence, improvements to grid cybersecurity, recent legislation and other issues for Congress.
Date: September 4, 2018
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
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