As has been the case with most of the world's economies, the Russian economy has been hit hard by the current global financial crisis. Even before the financial crisis, however, Russia was showing signs of economic problems. Russian economic policies and performance raise important policy questions for the United States and the U.S.-Russian relationship which this report addresses. Might Russia's robust economic growth return? Is an economically strong Russia a threat or benefit to the United States? Is Russia following economic strategies that promote a market economy that underlies the international trade system manifested in the World Trade Organization?

Text describes action on various war fronts: USSR; New Guinea; Gilbert and Marshall Islands; Bougainville; Air Offensive; Italy. Maps: Berlin; Global map. Inset map: Areas under Jap Control. Photograph: An American Army Signal Corps telephone lineman repairs a line in Capriatti. Back : Surprise... a powerful weapon. Photographic sequence of a hatchet attack on a Nazi soldier illustrates text urging whole-hearted cooperation of all to guard military information.

This report provides background information and recent developments in Russia-Georgia conflict in South Ossetia. The report discusses renewed conflict in South Ossetia, implications for Georgia and Russia, and international and U.S. responses.

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 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.

This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have taken to reduce, eliminate, and, more recently, augment their forces. The report reviews the issues that have been raised with regards to U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons, essentially identifying the "problems" many associate with the continued deployment of these weapons. It concludes with a review of policy options, or "solutions" for the preceding problems, that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Tunisia, Air offensive, Submarines, Southwest Pacific, Russia, China. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show Gulf of Gabes region, Moscow region. Includes photographs: Counter attack at Kasserine, New Navy planes, Enemy hospital ship. Back: Gas. 5 gases are illustrated and described; Lewisite, mustard, tear gas, phosgene and clorpicrin.

This report describes the current status of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between Russia and the United States and highlights issues that Congress may address regarding compliance concerns with Russia. It provides a historical overview; outlines the provisions of the INF Treaty (highlighting those central to the discussion about Russia's current activities); reviews the publicly-available information about the potential Russian violation and Russia's possible motivations; and summarizes Russia's concerns with U.S. compliance. The report concludes with a discussion of options that the United States might pursue and options if Russia deploys new INF-range missiles.

This short report provides an overview and assessment of the Russian religion law. On September 26, 1997, Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed the religion bill into law, and implementing regulations were promulgated in early 1998. The Administration and Congress have raised concerns that the law may restrict religion and have urged Russia to uphold its international commitments to religious freedom.

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Italy, Pacific, USSR, China, Southeast Asia, Western Europe. Maps: Central Italy showing current offensive areas and the battle line as of 11 May, 1944; Extent of Allied ground force operations. Includes photographs: 20,000 ft. column of smoke rising from Ploesti, Romania; Supply column heads north through Castelforte, Italy; American soldier walks through piles of rubble in the aftermath of heavy shelling; Amphibious "ducks" outside Anzio, laden with supplies for Fifth Army troops; Tanks emerge from the Assam Hills in northern India; Army nurse Lt. Jane Easton of Atlantic City, NJ and nurse Doru Chu of China tend to Corp. George Sammy of Gary, Ind. in China, Lt. La Retta Matthews of Lakeland, FL and Lt. Carolyn Taylor, Douglaston, L.I., N.Y. converse with a fabric shop owner in a Chinese city. Back: New Guinea. Map (continuation of map issued in Newsmap v. 2, no. 37).

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Includes inset maps: The siege of Sevastopol ; Theater of operations in the Aleutians. Photographs: Battle along the Atlantic; Damaged Japanese cruiser following Battle of Midway; Loading supplies; Moving on Moulmein; Russian Front; Trying Aussie favorite; West Coast patrol; Raising damaged Japanese midget sub. Back: Text describes the principal combat ships in fleets around the world. Includes photos of battleship, aircraft carrier, cruiser, submarine, destroyer, torpedo boat, minesweeper, and net tender.

U.S. attention has focused on Russia's fitful democratization since Russia emerged in 1991 from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many observers have argued that a democratic Russia with free markets would be a cooperative bilateral and multilateral partner rather than an insular and hostile national security threat. President Putin's 2004 proposal to restructure the government has been supported by international observers. The U.S. Administration and Congress have welcomed some cooperation with Russia on vital U.S. national security concerns, including the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, among other issues.

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The United States has charged that the Soviet Union is implicated in the use of chemical weapons in Afghanistan and of chemical and toxin weapons, including the toxin known as "Yellow Rain," in Laos and Kampuchea (Cambodia). These charges raise two significant sets of issues: First, issues surrounding the evidence that has been presented to show: (a) that such weapons have been used and (b) that the Soviet Union is implicated in this use. Second, issues connected with the implications of Soviet involvement, if proven, in chemical and toxin warfare.

U.S. attention has focused on Russia's fitful democratization since Russia emerged in 1991 from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many observers have argued that a democratic Russia with free markets would be a cooperative bilateral and multilateral partner rather than an insular and hostile national security threat. President Putin's 2004 proposal to restructure the government has been supported by international observers. The U.S. Administration and Congress have welcomed some cooperation with Russia on vital U.S. national security concerns, including the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, among other issues.

U.S. attention has focused on Russia's fitful democratization since Russia emerged in 1991 from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many observers have argued that a democratic Russia with free markets would be a cooperative bilateral and multilateral partner rather than an insular and hostile national security threat. President Putin's 2004 proposal to restructure the government has been supported by international observers. The U.S. Administration and Congress have welcomed some cooperation with Russia on vital U.S. national security concerns, including the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, among other issues.

This report discusses the U.S. response to the Russian Government potentially violating the Missile Technology Control Regime. The report details the accusations made against Russia, the progression of Iran's nuclear power program, and the connection these allegations have with respect to U.S. policy.