Some recent reports of the Congressional Research Service on Middle East-related topics include the following.
“Israel: Background and Relations with the United States,” updated March 16, 2006.
“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: Overview of Internal and External Challenges,” updated March 9, 2006.
“Iraq: Elections, Government, and Constitution,” updated March 13, 2006.
“Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance,” updated March 7, 2006.
“Women in Iraq: Background and Issues for U.S. Policy,” updated March 13, 2006.
“Lebanon,” updated March 16, 2006.
“Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations,” updated February 24, 2006.
“Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy,” updated March 17, 2006.
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.