Why Did March 2016 U.N. Sanctions Not Curb China's Imports of Coal from North Korea? (open access)

Why Did March 2016 U.N. Sanctions Not Curb China's Imports of Coal from North Korea?

This report discusses the Resolution 2270 adopted by United Nations Security Council (UNSCR 2270), imposing new sanctions on North Korea in response to the country's fourth nuclear test.
Date: February 3, 2017
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Army Corps Easement Process and Dakota Access Pipeline Easement Status (open access)

Army Corps Easement Process and Dakota Access Pipeline Easement Status

This report discusses the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), a 1,172-mile pipeline system to transport oil from North Dakota to Illinois.
Date: February 2, 2017
Creator: Carter, Nicole T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The United States Withdraws from the TPP (open access)

The United States Withdraws from the TPP

This report discusses discusses the withdrawal of the United States as a signatory from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as directed by President Trump.
Date: February 13, 2017
Creator: Williams, Brock R. & Fergusson, Ian F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Current Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Issues (open access)

Current Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Issues

This report discusses the missile defense program and whether current policy or program direction might change. The FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, P.L. 114-328) made several notable changes that could have significant effects on the direction of U.S. BMD policy and programs.
Date: February 21, 2017
Creator: Hildreth, Steven A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Import Taxes on Mexican Crude Oil (open access)

Import Taxes on Mexican Crude Oil

This report discusses the possibility raised by the Trump administration of imposing a 20% tax, or fee, on imports from Mexico, presumably including imports of crude oil.
Date: February 9, 2017
Creator: Pirog, Robert & Parfomak, Paul W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant (open access)

Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant

This report analyzes the special immigrant visas (SIVs) classifications for Iraqis and Afghans within the context of both the larger special immigrant category and selected other permanent admissions categories. It discusses the legislative changes to the individual Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant programs since their initial authorization, provides statistics on visa issuances, and considers challenges that have faced the programs.
Date: February 8, 2017
Creator: Bruno, Andorra
System: The UNT Digital Library
Iran Policy and the European Union (open access)

Iran Policy and the European Union

This report expresses concerns by European Union (EU) officials that the Trump Administration might abandon consensus U.S.- EU policy toward Iran.
Date: February 27, 2017
Creator: Mix, Derek E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement? (open access)

What is the Proposed U.S.-EU Insurance Covered Agreement?

This report discusses arrangement between the United States and European Union (EU), on the first insurance "covered agreement."
Date: February 7, 2017
Creator: Webel, Baird & Fefer, Rachel F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Congressional Action and President Trump's Interior Enforcement Executive Order (open access)

Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Congressional Action and President Trump's Interior Enforcement Executive Order

This report discusses President Trump's executive order (EO) "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States" issued on January 25, 2017, which seeks, among other things, to penalize "sanctuary jurisdictions." The term refers to states and localities that limit their cooperation with federal agencies on immigration law enforcement.
Date: February 15, 2017
Creator: Kandel, William A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean (open access)

Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean

This report discusses the U.S. relations and economic linkages with the Latin American and Caribbean region that have made significant political and economic advances over the past three decades, though challenges remain.
Date: February 16, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Why Did March 2016 U.N. Sanctions Not Curb China's Imports of Coal from North Korea? (open access)

Why Did March 2016 U.N. Sanctions Not Curb China's Imports of Coal from North Korea?

This report discusses sanctions on North Korea in response to the country's fourth nuclear test and China's imports of coal from North Korea.
Date: February 3, 2017
Creator: Lawrence, Susan V.; Manyin, Mark E. & Hammond, Keigh E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mexican-U.S. Relations: Increased Tensions (open access)

Mexican-U.S. Relations: Increased Tensions

This report describes the increased tensions in Mexican-U.S. relations after Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto canceled an upcoming meeting with President Donald J. Trump following exchanges between the two leaders over social media concerning U.S. policies toward Mexico.
Date: February 1, 2017
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare & Villarreal, M. A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Budget Deficit and the Business Cycle (open access)

The Federal Budget Deficit and the Business Cycle

This report discusses the annual federal budget deficit, which has fallen significantly over the course of the current economic expansion, from a high of 9.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) in FY2009 to 3.2% of GDP in FY2016.
Date: February 14, 2017
Creator: Driessen, Grant A. & Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
"El Chapo" Guzmán's Extradition: What's Next for U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation? (open access)

"El Chapo" Guzmán's Extradition: What's Next for U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation?

This report discusses the extradition of notorious drug trafficking kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
Date: February 3, 2017
Creator: Ribando Seelke, Clare; Beittel, June S. & Rosen, Liana W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
"Fiscal Space" and the Federal Budget (open access)

"Fiscal Space" and the Federal Budget

This report discusses plans for the federal budget and the concept of "fiscal space," or the amount of room available for additional government borrowing.
Date: February 14, 2017
Creator: Driessen, Grant A. & Labonte, Marc
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dakota Access Pipeline: Siting Controversy (open access)

Dakota Access Pipeline: Siting Controversy

This report discusses the Dakota Access Pipeline including background on the project and information about siting approval, as well as opposition and litigation against the pipeline.
Date: February 8, 2017
Creator: Parfomak, Paul W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
President Trump's Executive Order on Suspending Entry of Select Foreign Nationals: The Seven Countries (open access)

President Trump's Executive Order on Suspending Entry of Select Foreign Nationals: The Seven Countries

This report the executive order (EO) entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorists Entry Into the United States." Invoking Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §212(f), the President barred citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days, with limited exceptions for those traveling on diplomatic and certain other types of visas.
Date: February 1, 2017
Creator: Siskin, Alison
System: The UNT Digital Library