This report discusses the G-20, an international forum for discussing and coordinating economic policies among major advanced and emerging economies. Previous summits have, for example, focused on financial regulatory reform, global imbalances, funding for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), voting power of emerging economies in international financial institutions, and fossil fuel subsidies.

Granting Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status requires a change in law because Russia is prohibited from receiving unconditional and permanent NTR under Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974. This provision includes the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment. Extension of PNTR has implications for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This report examines this legislative issue in the context of Russian accession to the WTO and U.S.-Russian economic ties.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Tunisia, Supply, Libya, Toulon, Russia, New Guinea, Solomons, Aleutians. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Includes inset maps: Tunisia -- Russian Front. Back: Maps and texts highlight the battleground of North Africa. Photographs: Crash landing -- Target sighted, mission completed -- Stalingrad strikes back.

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.

This report discusses the current political and economic conditions in Russia, focusing on the impact of Vladimir Putin's leadership and the leadership of his successor/protégé, Dmitry Medvedev, both of which have steered Russia away from progress toward democratization. The report also discusses the state of the economy since the Soviet collapse in 1999, how the recent global economic downturn has affected Russia, the state of Russia's military, and the current relationship between Russia and the United States.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: China, Air Offensive, Aleutians, Russia, North Africa, Southwest Pacific. Maps: Global map of war fronts; China, Burma, Mongolia, Japan. Photographs: Nazi sub sank after charged by The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer; The enterprise "Workhorse of War"; Yanks in India; Six B-24's of the U.S. Army Eighth Air Force attacking the port at Kiel in northern Germany. Back: "Secret" weapons are the little drops of information that you could give away! [Illustrations of the importance of keeping a military secret.]

Front: Maps show military activities throughout Europe, China, and the Philippines during the week. Inset map: Pacific action Photograph: U.S. Sixty-Ninth Division Infantrymen greet Red Army soldiers on the Elbe River bridge at Torgau. Accompanied by timeline showing dates, key cities, and mileage for both armies to meet. Back: [oblique col. map]: Japan from Siberia.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Central Pacific, Italy, USSR, Air war, Burma. Maps show Marshall Islands; Allied advances during the week. Photographs: Artillery technique in Italy; American helmets of the 25th Division and hats of a New Zealand brigade mingle at Vella Lavella; Navy mobile photographic laboratory comes ashore in the Solomons; African Goummiers of the Fifth Army don traditional gowns over American uniforms; Pilots of the 99th Fighter Squadron talk tactics; German transport vehicles retreat from the Soviet front; Photographer positioned where a .50 caliber gun would be mounted in a Navy reconnaissance Liberator; Soldiers stuff 250 pamphlets into each 25 pound shell in Italy; Fifth Army infantry battalion's 81 mm. mortars travel by mule in Venafro. Back: Jap army uniforms. Color illustrations of seasonal and miscellaneous uniforms of officers and men.

This report provides background information regarding Russia-Georgia conflict in South Ossetia and discusses most recent developments.

This report discusses the current political and economic conditions in Russia, focusing on the impact of Vladimir Putin's leadership and the leadership of his successor/protégé, Dmitriy Medvedev, both of which have steered Russia away from progress toward democratization. The report also discusses the state of the economy since the Soviet collapse in 1999, how the recent global economic downturn has affected Russia, the state of Russia's military, and the current relationship between Russia and the United States.

Front: Text describes 5 Moscow conference decisions. Maps: Moscow conference decisions as reflected on the global map. Includes photograph of Ernest Bevin (Britain), V. M. Molotov (Russia) and James F. Byrnes (U.S.) Back: Reenlistment. List of reasons to reenlist. Charts of income and retirement income for enlisted classes.

This report provides background information regarding the Nuclear Arms Control negotiations between U.S. and Russia. Articles of the Treaty of Moscow and force structures under this treaty are discussed.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Russia; North Africa; Mediterranean; Belgian Congo; Western Europe; Solomons; New Guinea; Iceland; China; Siberia. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show Battle areas in the Southwest Pacific; the Mediterranean arena. Includes photographs: Well-dressed commando; Pudding for a Panzer; Avro Lancaster bomber; Moving tanks up; Tanks train in the U.S. deserts. Back: Russian Armored Vehicles. Includes text descriptions of 8 tanks and 28 photographs.

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After several years of relative peace in Central Asia and southern Russia, Islamic extremist movements have become more active in Russia and in Central and South Asia, threatening stability in the region. Although numerous factors might account for the upsurge in activity, several of these movements appear to have connections to the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These linkages raise questions about whether the United States, as part of a broader effort to promote peace and stability in the region, should continue to engage the Taliban regime, or strongly confront it. This report will be updated as events warrant.