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Burma's 2010 Elections: Implications of the New Constitution and Election Laws

Posted Thu, 04/29/2010 - 00:00

On an undisclosed date in 2010, Burma plans to hold its first parliamentary elections in 20 years. The elections are to be held under a new constitution, supposedly approved in a national referendum held in 2008 in the immediate aftermath of the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis.

The Debt Limit: History and Recent Increases

Posted Thu, 01/28/2010 - 01:00

Total debt of the federal government can increase in two ways. First, debt increases when the government sells debt to the public to finance budget deficits and acquire the financial resources needed to meet its obligations. This increases debt held by the public. Second, debt increases when the federal government issues debt to certain government accounts, such as the Social Security, Medicare, and Transportation trust funds, in exchange for their reported surpluses. This increases debt held by government accounts.

Federal Employee Benefits and Same-Sex Partnerships

Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 01:00

The federal government provides a variety of benefits to its 8 million employees and annuitants. Among these benefits are health insurance; enhanced dental and vision benefits; survivor benefits; retirement and disability benefits; family, medical, and emergency leave; and reimbursement of relocation costs. Pursuant to Title 5 U.S.C. Chapters 89, 89A, 89B, and other statutes, millions of federal employees may extend these benefits to their spouses and children.

Moldova: Background and U.S. Policy

Posted Thu, 08/13/2009 - 00:00

Although a small country, Moldova has been of interest to U.S. policymakers due to its position between NATO and EU member Romania and strategic Ukraine. In addition, some experts have expressed concern about alleged Russian efforts to extend its hegemony over Moldova through various methods, including a troop presence, manipulation of Moldova's relationship with its breakaway Transnistria region, and energy supplies and other trading links. Moldova's political and economic weakness has made it a source of organized criminal activity of concern to U.S.

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

Posted Wed, 08/12/2009 - 00:00

In 2002, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began investigating allegations that Iran had conducted clandestine nuclear activities. Ultimately, the agency reported that some of these activities had violated Tehran's IAEA safeguards agreement. The IAEA has not stated definitively that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons, but has also not yet been able to conclude that the country's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes. The IAEA Board of Governors referred the matter to the U.N. Security Council in February 2006.

Defense: FY2010 Authorization and Appropriations

Posted Sun, 07/26/2009 - 00:00

On February 26, 2009, the Administration released the broad outlines of its federal budget request for FY2010, listing for each Cabinet department and for several independent agencies the total discretionary budget authority President Obama would request, but providing no additional details. Full details of the request were made public May 7, 2009. For the Department of Defense (DOD) in FY2010, the Administration requested a total of $663.7 billion in discretionary budget authority.

Iran's Nuclear Program: Tehran's Compliance with International Obligations

Posted Fri, 05/01/2009 - 00:00

In 2002, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began investigating allegations that
Iran had conducted clandestine nuclear activities; the agency ultimately reported that some of
these activities had violated Tehran?s IAEA safeguards agreement. The agency has not stated
definitively that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons, but has also not yet been able to conclude that
the country?s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes. The IAEA Board of
Governors referred the matter to the U.N. Security Council in February 2006.