http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/prod4.pdf
Reports that manufacturing labor productivity decreased in 12 of the 17 countries tracked. The U.S. and the Republic of Korea had the largest productivity increase at 1.2%. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL32493.pdf
Analyzes the increasingly aggressive behavior of North Korea, explores causes for this behavior, and options for diplomatic responses, including the framework of the Six-Party Talks and possible economic leverage. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/R40684.pdf
Describes the provisions of the Security Council resolution, the implementation of sanctions, and the implications of the resolution. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40614.pdf
Provides a general background on the types of international agreements that are binding on the U.S., discusses historical precedents as to the role that security agreements have taken, and concludes with an assessment of the oversight role that Congress plays in U.S. implementation of international agreements. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/wmd-acq2008.pdf
Latest report to Congress by the intelligence community for the year 2008 on the activities of various countries in acquiring weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional arms. This report covers Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Also covers the actions of China, North Korea, and Russia in selling dual use technologies to entities in the Middle East and South Asia. From the Deputy Director of National Intelligence, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/syb2008/ESCAP-SYB2008.pdf
Includes data, charts, and a textual overview of more than 200 indicators of social and economic development for Asian countries. From the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations.
http://www.ndu.edu/inss/Strforum/SF239/SF239.pdf
Examines the economic power of the nations of East Asia whose share of world GDP grew from 26% in 1990 to 37% in 2006. Reviews U.S. commercial, cultural, and security ties with China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Korea and the Philippines and calls for a clear understanding of U.S. interests in Asia. From the National Defense University.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/R40439.pdf
To promote an understanding of nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, and arms control matters, this report describes which agency in each of nine nuclear countries is responsible for research and development of nuclear weapons and whether these agencies are civilian or military. Covers China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, UK, US . Also traces the history of such agencies in the U.S. from 1942 to the present. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10013/02-27-MissileDefense.pdf
Examines the cost and the potential defensive capability of the proposed European Ground-Based Midcourse Defense. It also explores alternative ways to provide some or all the intended capabilities of that system. The Missile Defense Agency is developing a GMD system to defend the U.S. against limited ballistic missile attacks from North Korea or iran. From the Congressional Budget Office.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL30613.pdf
Reviews U.S.-North Korea negotiations during 2008 which culminated in the removal of North Korea from the State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism on October 11, 2008. Also reviews objections to the removal of North Korea from the list and policy implications of this action. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2008/asset_upload_file851_15189.pdf
Fact sheet outlining the putative advantages of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. From the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
