This report provides a brief overview of the European Union (EU), an economic and political partnership between 27 sovereign member states. The report describes the formation of the EU, the three main institutions of the EU, and the EU's relationship with the United States.

According to the most recent National Threat Assessment, the global financial crisis and its geopolitical implications pose the primary near-term security concern of the United States. Over the short run, both the EU and the United States are attempting to resolve the financial crisis while stimulating domestic demand to stem the economic downturn. These efforts have born little progress so far as the economic recession and the financial crisis have become reinforcing events, causing EU governments to forge policy responses to both crises. This report discusses this situation in detail and also discusses individual efforts by both the U.S. and EU to combat the effects of the crisis.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story of Scotland Yard who has cancelled Christmas leave for its bomb squad amid warnings for more guerrilla activity in the British capital.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about anti-war protests throughout Europe.

Photocopy of a script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.