http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL32459.pdf

Reviews commercial, investment, and trading relations between the U.S. and France, which is the 9th largest trading partner of the U.S. Also focuses on sources of tension between the two countries, especially agricultural trade, government intervention in business activities, and the Iraq War. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08566.pdf

Studies how Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom administer VAT type taxes especially with regard to administrative costs and compliance burdens. From the Government Accountability Office.

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08320.pdf

Describes how 10 countries, which are leading investors in the U.S., regulate foreign investment in their own country to protect national security interests. Surveys policies in Britain, France, Germany, Japan, China, Canada, India, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. From the Government Accountability Office.

http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB786.pdf

Offers analysis and data on trends in the use of military reserve forces by many of the leading military powers in the world. Covers Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Russia. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007006

Describes how the U.S. education system compares to those in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom. The comparison is based on 20 indicators in 5 sections: enrollment, academic performance, learning context, education expenditures, and education attainment. From the National Center for Education Statistics.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33166.pdf

Islam is the fastest growing religion and Muslims are the largest religious minority group in Europe. This report examines the methods used by the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany to integrate the Muslim community into their society, including citizenship laws, education, anti-discrimination measures, and treatment of religious institutions. From the Congressional Research Service via the Federation of American Scientists.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/21_07_04cg00086.en04.pdf

Text of the proposed Constitution for Europe which has been rejected by voters in France and The Netherlands in the past month. From the BBC.