A 2014 report on obstruction of justice prepared by the Congressional Research Service was highlighted on the CRS congressional intranet this week, apparently in response to news stories and congressional interest in the topic. See Obstruction of Justice: an Overview of Some of the Federal Statutes that Prohibit Interference with Judicial, Executive, or Legislative Activities, April 17, 2014.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Israel: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief, updated May 17, 2017
Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response, updated May 16, 2017
Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, updated May 15, 2017
Softwood Lumber Imports From Canada: Current Issues, May 17, 2017
Air Traffic Inc.: Considerations Regarding the Corporatization of Air Traffic Control, updated May 16, 2017
The Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections, updated May 15, 2017
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Lessons Learned and Issues for Congress, updated May 16, 2017
Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)/Frigate Program: Background and Issues for Congress, updated May 12, 2017
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress, updated May 12, 2017
Navy Lasers, Railgun, and Hypervelocity Projectile: Background and Issues for Congress, updated May 12, 2017
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, updated May 15, 2017
Satellite imagery of RAF Lakenheath reveals new construction of a security perimeter around ten protective aircraft shelters in the designated nuclear area, the latest measure in a series of upgrades as the base prepares for the ability to store U.S. nuclear weapons.
It will take consistent leadership and action to navigate the complex dangers in the region and to avoid what many analysts considered to be an increasingly possible outcome, a nuclear conflict in East Asia.
Getting into a shutdown is the easy part, getting out is much harder. Both sides will be looking to pin responsibility on each other, and the court of public opinion will have a major role to play as to who has the most leverage for getting us out.
How the United States responds to China’s nuclear buildup will shape the global nuclear balance for the rest of the century.