FAS

Ground Troops Vs. the Islamic State, and More from CRS

02.19.16 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

In response to calls for increased deployment of ground forces against the Islamic State, the Congressional Research Service stated this week that “There are no clear-cut answers to determining the suitability, size, and mission profile of the ground elements of any military campaign; determining the disposition of military forces is in many ways as much an art as it is a science.”

“As it evaluates proposals to introduce more ground forces [to combat the Islamic State], Congress may therefore ponder five questions.” See Additional U.S. Ground Troops to Counter the Islamic State? Five Questions, CRS Insight, February 17, 2016.

Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service issued this week include the following.

IAEA Budget and U.S. Contributions: In Brief, February 17, 2016

U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy, updated February 17, 2016

Border Security Metrics Between Ports of Entry, February 16, 2016

Deficits and Debt: Economic Effects and Other Issues, February 17, 2016

Domestic Food Assistance: Summary of Programs, updated February 17, 2016

U.S. Farm Income Outlook for 2016, February 16, 2016

The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities, February 16, 2016

Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, updated February 17, 2016

publications
See all publications
FAS
Press release
Dr. Jedidah Isler, Chief Science Officer of the Federation of American Scientists, Testifying on “American Global Competitiveness” in Congressional Committee Today

Called today to speak on behalf of U.S. science and technology, Dr. Jedidah Isler, astrophysicist, educator, strategist, policy-maker, and science communicator, will provide constructive, nonpartisan feedback to the House Committee’s hearing “American Global Competitiveness at 250: Legislative Proposals to Secure U.S. Technology Leadership.”

06.30.26 | 4 min read
read more
Government Capacity
Press release
Federation of American Scientists Launches Data Policy Institute to Advance Federal Data Essential to the Public

“Federal data and access to it is not a partisan issue. It is a people issue. Our country cannot achieve greatness without access to the data that measure what we value, who we are, and where we’re heading.”

06.30.26 | 4 min read
read more
Global Risk
Issue Brief
Transforming American Biosecurity

The United States’ biosecurity governance system is structurally incapable of detecting and responding to certain classes of threats. U.S. biosecurity tools have not kept pace with technological advancements or a changing threat landscape.

06.29.26 | 8 min read
read more
FAS
Blog
Science and Technology Must Deliver for the Public

The United States has never lacked for scientific ambition. What we need now is a renewed civic commitment to ensuring that talent is harnessed for the benefit of all people. Science can work for everyone. Join us as we build a broader coalition committed to that vision.

06.29.26 | 6 min read
read more