British Defence Policy Since 1997: Background Issues

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2008/rp08-058.pdf

Covers the broader contextual issues that have influenced British defense policy over the past 10 years. Also discusses the nature and size of the UK defense budget. House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/58

British Defence Policy Since 1997

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2008/rp08-057.pdf

A lengthy introduction to some of the main issues that have shaped British defense policy since the Labor Party took over the government under Prime Minister Tony Blair. Also examines the prospects for defense under Gordon Brown. House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/57.

Integrated Security Assistance: The 1207 Program

http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr207.pdf

Section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 and 2007 authorized the Defense Department to provide up to $200 million over two years in funds, services, and defense articles to the State Department for projects involving security, reconstruction, and stabilization. This report assesses the process by which projects were developed, reviewed, and approved for funding. From the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Report on Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan

http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/Report_on_Progress_toward_Security_and_Stability_in_Afghanistan_1230.pdf

Describes the current security situation in Afghanistan as fragile and the Taliban as a resilient insurgency, but points toward improvement in some provinces. First in a series of required reports on the situation in Afghanistan. From the Defense Department.

On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign, the U.S. Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-2005

http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/CSI/OP2.asp

The first historical study by the U.S. Army of its campaign in Iraq in the 18 months following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Includes the decision to disband the Iraqi Army, detainee operations, including Abu Ghraib prison, and the response to the growing insurgency. Large file. From the Combat Studies Institute

The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf

Latest accounting puts cost at $700 billion for military operations, reconstruction, security, foreign aid, and veterans' expenses. The administration has requested an additional $260 billion for FY 2008 and 2009. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

District of Columbia v. Heller

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/07-290

5-4 Supreme Court decision that ruled unconstitutional the ban on handgun ownership of the District of Columbia. Overturns court precedent in reading the Second Amendment as conferring a right of individual ownership of guns unconnected with service in a militia. From Findlaw.com

Status of Forces Agreement: What Is It and How Might One Be Utilized in Iraq?

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34531_20080616.pdf

Examines the nature of past status of forces agreements that the U.S. has been a party to, what they cover, and how they are entered into. Also surveys all current status of forces agreements and the proposed agreement relating to U.S. armed forces and Iraq. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org

Wind Farms and Radar

http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/jason/wind.pdf

Examines the potential conflict between turbines at wind farms and Defense Department or homeland security radar operations. From the JASON Science Defense Advisory Group and the Department of Homeland Security, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

GAO Sustains Boeing Bid Protest

http://www.gao.gov/press/press-boeing2008jun18_3.pdf

Press release on the decision of the Government Accountability Office to sustain the protest of Boeing, which lost a lucrative contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force to Northrop Grumman and Airbus. The report accuses the Air Force of significant errors which affected the outcome of the competition and recommends the bid process be reopened. From the Government Accountability Office.

Know Before You Go: Improving Army Officer Socio-Cultural Knowledge

http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA480154&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

Examines lessons learned from the Vietnam War about the need for language and cultural skills when waging war against insurgents among the people. From the Defense Technical Information Service and the U.S. Army War College.

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