Economics Books

Book SynopsisThis book provides an overview of general legal and technical requirements for food and agricultural imports and exports imposed by the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Many of Russia''s food and trade regulations have or are undergoing reform as the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union (CU) continues policy integration. Russia also continues to adjust policies pursuant to its recent WTO accession. In practice, Russia continues coordinating policy reform closely with the European Union, and as a result, changes in regulation reflect those of its primary trade partner. Additionally, the Ukraine possesses a complicated and costly food safety system inherited from the Soviet Union. Controls are implemented by various state agencies that often have overlapping functions. In late 2010, the Government of Ukraine started a major reform of the regulatory system aimed at reducing the number of controlling bodies and clear separation of their authorities.

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Book SynopsisPrior to the 11 September 2011 terrorist attacks, insurance coverage for losses from such attacks was normally included in general insurance policies without specific cost to the policyholders. Following the attacks, such coverage became very expansive if insurers offered it at all. Because insurance is required for a variety of economic transactions, it was feared that the absence of insurance against terrorism loss would have a wider economic impact. Private terrorism insurance was largely unavailable for most of 2002 and some have argued that this adversely affected parts of the economy. Congress responded to the disruption in the terrorism insurance market by passing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA). TRIA created a temporary three-year Terrorism Insurance Program in which the government would share some of the losses with private insurers should a foreign terrorist attack occur. This book analyses the TRIA program at ten years and the future of the terrorism risk insurance program.

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Book SynopsisOnce hardly noticeable, Chinese investments in U.S. companies are now rising sharply. Cumulative Chinese investments in U.S. companies remain modest compared to those of other major countries. However, a combination of "push and pull" factors are moving China''s annual investment levels closer to levels consistent with China''s current economic stature. The Chinese government has made a conscious decision to diversify its foreign currency assets into hard assets. This had led to the creation of sovereign wealth funds that make portfolio investments in U.S. equities, private firms, and real estate. The Chinese government has also altered is policy toward foreign direct investment (FDI). Whereas it previously encouraged investments almost exclusively toward energy and resource acquisition in developing countries, it now also encourages investments in advanced countries. The government''s goals for these investments include securing energy and mineral resources and acquiring advanced technologies in industries where China wishes to leapfrog existing competitors. This book provides an overview of select analyses on Chinese investments in the U.S. economy, with a focus on the economic benefits and policy challenges.

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Book SynopsisAn important component of economic statecraft, investment climate statements provide U.S. firms with country-specific information and assessments prepared by posts abroad on investment laws, measures, and other factors that may be useful in making business decisions. This book presents the Investment Climate Statements of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey; which help identify the barriers and market distortions that too often deter U.S. investment, provide U.S. investors with the information they need to better assess business risks, and serve as a basis for engaging foreign governments on modernising investment regimes.

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Book SynopsisCuba remains a one-party communist state with a poor record on human rights. The country''s political succession in 2006 from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raul was characterised by a remarkable degree of stability. In February 2013, Castro was re-appointed to a second five-year term as president, and selected a 52-year old former Education Minister Miguel Diaz-Canel as his First Vice President, making him the official successor in the event that Castro cannot serve out his term. Raul Castro has implemented a number of gradual economic policy changes over the past several years, including an expansion of self-employment. A party congress held in April 2011 laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba''s state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system. This book provides an overview of Cuba''s current political and economic situation; U.S. policy toward Cuba; and select issues in U.S.-Cuba relations.

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Book SynopsisGlobalisation is the phenomenon of improved integration of the world economy as evidenced by the growth of international trade and factor mobility. Globalisation involves primarily liberalisation of trade in goods and services, and a free movement of direct and portfolio capital. Nowadays, globalisation is distinguished in part because of the major role of information technology and cyberspace. Cyberspace includes a range of places connected to real space in many different ways. A communications network changes the character of existing space. Thus, changes in the ways that information is experienced and the ways that economic, political, and personal dealings are structured, change the nature of real space. There is a shift from international law to law and globalisation providing a new incentive for erasing the artificial boundary between public and private international law. Despite the fact that international financial institutions and MNEs are the engines of economic globalisation, powerful states remain the vital drivers. Global governance is defined as the amount of laws, norms, policies, and institutions that identify, constitute, and mediate trans-border relations between states, cultures, citizens, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and the market. Corporate governance focuses wholly on protecting the interests of equity claimants in a company, expanding its focus to deal with the problems of "stakeholders" or non shareholder constituencies. New communication and circulation technologies together with the elimination of trade and investment barriers have shaped global markets with global competition for corporate control, commodities, services and capital. MNEs taking up a transnational strategy seek to achieve concurrently global effectiveness and local responsiveness with the assets and activities dispersed but specialised.

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Book SynopsisU.S.-Ghanaian relations are warm, as signalled by President Barack Obama''s travels in 2009 to Ghana, where he laid out his view on democratisation and governance in Africa in his single major Africa-focused policy address. President Obama''s visit was premised on Ghana''s record of having built a relatively robust democracy and a growing economy, albeit in the face of widespread poverty and diverse development challenges, making it a stable country in an often unstable region. Ghana has also contributed to efforts to maintain stability and end conflict in the surrounding West Africa region, and regularly contributes to international peacekeeping operations elsewhere. It receives U.S. capacity-building assistance in this area, as well as aid to help counter threats posed by international narcotics trafficking. This book provides an overview of recent developments in Ghana and relations with the U.S., focusing on Ghana as an emergent oil producer; Ghana''s Global Health Initiative Strategy.

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Book SynopsisIn recent years, analysts and U.S. policymakers have noted Africa''s growing strategic importance to U.S. interests. Among those interests are the increasing importance of Africa''s natural resources, particularly energy resources, and mounting concern over violent extremist activities and other potential threats posed by under-governed spaces, such as maritime piracy and illicit trafficking. In addition, there is ongoing concern for Africa''s many humanitarian crises, armed conflicts, and more general challenges, such as the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS. In 2006, Congress authorised a feasibility study on the creation of a new command for Africa to consolidate current operations and activities on the continent under one commander. On 6 February 2007, the Bush Administration announced the creation of a new unified combatant command, U.S. Africa Command or AFRICOM, to promote U.S. national security objectives in Africa and its surrounding waters. This book examines U.S. strategic interests and the role of the U.S. military in Africa.

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Book SynopsisMultiemployer pension plans, created by collective bargaining agreements including more than one employer, cover more than 10 million workers and retirees, and are insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). In recent years, as a result of investment market declines, employers withdrawing from plans, and demographic challenges, many multiemployer plans have had large funding shortfalls and face an uncertain future. This book examines the actions that multiemployer plans in the weakest condition have taken to improve their funding levels and the options available to address PFBC''s impending funding crisis and enhance the multiemployer insurance program''s future financial stability.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the policies, economic impacts and global perspectives of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Topics discussed include Chinese and Italian investment in Africa''s extractive industries; a case study in Mexico of productivity spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment; evidence from the EU at the regional level of FDI and economic growth; outward FDI to China and the parent firm''s ability to create value added per worker; Foreign Direct Investment on ASEAN''s income inequality revisited; global trends in R&D-intensive FDI; the impact of corruption on the timing and mode of entry by U.S. firms in China; the proliferation of Free Trade Agreements and their impact on FDI; Union structure and inward FDI; inward FDI performance and determinants of FDI regional disparity in China; trade, FDI, exchange rate, and the effect of corporate tax reduction policy; evidence from plant-level data of FDI and productivity spillovers; and regional FDI spillovers in the Swiss service/construction industry.

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Book SynopsisThe President and leading Members of Congress have indicated that income tax reform is a major policy objective. Some itemised deductions are visible candidates for "broadening the base" of the individual income tax and cutting back on tax expenditures and primarily consist of deductions for mortgage interest, state, and local taxes, and charitable contributions. The benefits of itemised deductions are concentrated among higher-income individuals, and that is particularly the case for state and local income tax deductions and charitable deductions. Proposals for addressing these provisions fall into two general classes. One approach could include repealing or restricting all itemised deductions. A different approach would consider each type of deduction and tailor a reform to the particular objectives and merits of the deductions, such as a lower ceiling on home mortgage interest deduction and a floor for charitable contributions. This book analyses various proposals to restrict itemised deductions, both across-the-board and individually tailored, using standard economic criteria of economic efficiency, distribution, simplicity, and estimated revenue effects.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an overview of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) members and their investment climates. The economics and business affairs of the following countries are discussed: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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Book SynopsisSince Israel''s founding in 1948, successive U.S. Presidents and many Members of Congress have demonstrated a commitment to Israel''s security and to maintaining close U.S.-Israel defence, diplomatic, and economic co-operation. U.S. and Israeli leaders have developed close relations based on common perceptions of shared democratic values and religious affinities. U.S. policymakers often seek to determine how regional events and U.S. policy choices may affect Israel''s security, and Congress provides active oversight of executive branch dealings with Israel and the broader Middle East. Israel is a leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid and is a frequent purchaser of major U.S. weapons systems. The United States and Israel maintain close security co-operation -- predicated on a U.S. commitment to maintain Israel''s "qualitative military edge" over other countries in its region. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 1985, and the United States is Israel''s largest trading partner. Israel has many regional security concerns. Israeli leaders calling for urgent international action against Iran''s nuclear program hint at the possibility of a unilateral military strike against Iran''s nuclear facilities. In addition to concerns over Iran, Israel''s perceptions of security around its borders have changed since early 2011 as several surrounding Arab countries -- including Egypt and Syria -- have experienced political upheaval. Israel has shown particular concern about threats from Hezbollah and other non-state groups in ungoverned or minimally governed areas in Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt''s Sinai Peninsula, as well as from Hamas and other Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel''s political impasse with the Palestinians on core issues in their longstanding conflict shows little or no sign of abating. Since the end of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel has militarily occupied and administered the West Bank, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited self-rule in some areas since 1995. This book provides current background and historical perspective on Israel and its U.S. relations.

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Book SynopsisThe U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is the second-largest U.S. FTA (next to NAFTA). South Korea is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States, and the United States is South Korea''s third-largest trading partner. The KORUS FTA covers a wide range of trade and investment issues and, therefore, could have substantial economic implications for both the United States and South Korea. KORUS FTA encompasses a range of bilateral economic activities: trade in manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services; foreign investment; government procurement; intellectual property rights; and worker rights and environment protection, among other issues. The United States and South Korea entered into the KORUS FTA as a means to further solidify an already strong economic relationship by reducing barriers to trade and investment between them and to resolve long-standing troublesome economic issues. The United States specifically sought increased access to South Korean markets for agricultural products, services, and foreign investment. For South Korean leaders, the KORUS FTA is a mechanism to promote reform in its own economy and also to gain a competitive advantage in the U.S. market for autos and other manufactured goods. This book examines the provisions of the KORUS FTA in the context of the overall U.S.-South Korean economic relationship, U.S. objectives, and South Korean objectives. It also examines some of the issues that have arisen during its implementation.

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Book SynopsisOver the last two years, many U.S. policymakers, Members of Congress, and their European counterparts have struggled with how best to respond to the wide range of challenges posed by the popular uprisings and political upheaval in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Almost immediately after the onset of the so-called "Arab Spring" in early 2011, U.S. and European leaders alike declared their intention to put greater emphasis than in the past on democratic reform and economic development in formulating their respective policies toward countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, and Morocco. In Libya, the United States and many European allies participated in the NATO-led military intervention in support of rebel forces that ultimately toppled the Qadhafi regime. And as demonstrations in Syria escalated into a bloody civil war, the United States and the European Union (EU) have imposed sanctions, called for an end to the ruling Asad regime, and are considering greater material and financial support to the Syrian political and armed opposition. Possibilities for U.S.-European Co-Operation and Potential Obstacles In light of the immense changes and what many have long viewed as common U.S. and European interests in the Middle East and North Africa, numerous analysts have advocated for significant U.S.-European co-operation to promote a more peaceful and prosperous MENA region. Such collaboration, they argued, would help prevent a wasteful duplication of Western diplomatic and economic resources amid competing domestic political priorities and financial constraints on both sides of the Atlantic. This book provides a broad overview of European and U.S. responses to the changes in six MENA countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Libya, and Syria).

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Book SynopsisThe book is divided into three sections. The first section examines issues in relation to corporate governance in the private sector, with emphasis being placed on issues such as Board Decision-Making;'' ''Earnings Management and Audit Committee Effectiveness;'' and Corporate Governance Failures.'' These contributions are complemented by the second section, which looks at governance and risk issues affecting the public sector, with a focus being placed on Public-Private Sector Partnering'' and the impact of regulatory reform on the life sciences. Section three focuses on societal risk management in relation to health safety and the environment. In this context, contributions are presented in relation to major debates surrounding the ''Rising Trends in Cancer Cases'' throughout the world; the dilemmas surrounding ''Medical Self Help; ''Mental Health Policy;'' and the use of ''Information Technology in Health Care.'' I hope readers will find this edited volume useful and stimulating.

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Book SynopsisA Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide is the go-to resource for project management practitioners. Over the past few years, the project management profession has significantly evolved due to emerging technology, new approaches and rapid market changes. Reflecting this evolution, The Standard for Project Management enumerates 12 principles of project management and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition is structured around eight project performance domains. Both the standard and the guide reflect the wide range of development approaches that lead to value delivery. This edition is designed to address practitioners’ current and future needs and to help them be more proactive, innovative and nimble in enabling desired project outcomes. This edition of the PMBOK® Guide: Reflects the full range of development approaches (predictive, adaptive, hybrid, etc.) Provides an entire section devoted to tailoring the development approach and processes Includes an expanded list of models, methods, and artifacts Focuses on not just delivering project outputs but also enabling outcomes; and Integrates with PMIstandards+ for information and standards application content based on project type, development approach, and industry sector.

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Book SynopsisTransformation is no longer a short-lived initiative. It is not a program. It is not linear. Instead, the world’s leading organizations now embrace transformation as a a challenging, stretching, exciting and essential constant in their lives. Welcome to the age of perpetual transformation. Now, the Brightline Initiative and Thinkers50 have collaborated to bring together some of the world’s leading minds on the theme of perpetual transformation. Curated by Thinkers50 cofounder Stuart Crainer and introduced by PMI COO Michael DePrisco, Perpetual Transformation features ideas and insights from Didier Bonnet, Susie Kennedy, Kaihan Krippendorff, Jeffrey Kuhn, Habeeb Mahaboob, Tony O’Driscoll,Martin Reeves, Lars Fæste, Tom Deegan, April Rinne, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, Gabriele Rosani, Paolo Cervini, Robin Speculand, Behnam Tabrizi and a host of others.

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Book SynopsisFor several years, some Members of Congress have favoured "comprehensive immigration reform" (CIR), a label that commonly refers to omnibus legislation that includes increased border security and immigration enforcement, expanded employment eligibility verification, revision of non-immigrant visas and legal permanent immigration, and legalisation for some unauthorised aliens residing in the country. Leaders in both chambers have identified immigration as a legislative priority in the 113th Congress. While Members of the House reportedly have considered several different approaches to immigration reform during the spring of 2013, debate in the Senate has focused mainly on a single CIR bill: the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744). This book summarises major provisions of S. 744, as reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It also discusses H.R. 1417, as reported by the House Homeland Security Committee, a bill that focuses more narrowly on border security strategies and metrics. The analysis focuses on eight major policy areas that encompass the U.S. immigration debate: comprehensive reform "triggers" and funding; border security; interior enforcement; employment eligibility verification and worksite enforcement; legalisation of unauthorised aliens; immigrant visas; non-immigrant visas; and humanitarian provisions. This book provides a detailed discussion of major legislation related to each of these issues.

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Book SynopsisThe U.S. life and property/casualty (P/C) insurance industries wrote over $1 trillion in total premiums in 2011 and play an important role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the economy. Concerns about the oversight of the insurance industry arose during the 2007-2009 financial crisis, when one of the largest U.S. holding companies that had substantial insurance operations, American International Group, Inc. (AIG), suffered large losses. These losses were driven in large part by activities conducted by a non-insurance affiliate, AIG Financial Products, but also included securities lending activity undertaken by some of its life insurance companies which created liquidity issues for some insurers. The losses threatened to bankrupt the company, and AIG was one of the largest recipients of assistance by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the federal government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) set up during the crisis. This book examines any effects of the financial crisis on the insurance industry and policyholders, and addresses what is known about how the financial crisis affected the insurance industry and policyholders, and the types of actions that have been taken since the crisis to help prevent or mitigate potential negative effects of future economic downturns on insurance companies and their policyholders.

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Book SynopsisThe 2007-2009 financial crisis threatened the stability of the U.S. financial system and the health of the U.S. economy. To address regulatory gaps and other problems revealed by the crisis, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act. Federal regulators will need to issue hundreds of rules to implement the act. Industry representatives, academics, and others generally have supported the act''s goal of enhancing U.S. financial stability, but implementation of certain of the act''s provisions has led to much debate. These experts have expressed a wide range of views on the potential positive and negative effects that the act could have on the U.S. financial system and broader economy. This book examines the losses associated with the recent financial crisis; the benefits of the act for the U.S. financial system and the broader economy; and the costs of the act''s reforms. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed empirical and other studies on the impacts of financial crises and the Dodd-Frank reforms, as well as congressional testimonies, comment letters, and other public statements by federal regulators, industry representatives, and others.

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Book SynopsisThe Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries have witnessed important complex economic, social and political changes and transition recently. These changes resulted from not only social and political reasons called "the Arab Spring" but also economic reasons from the global economic crisis. External and internal dynamics of the MENA region force governments into an important transformation in terms of better democratic mechanisms, better governance and better social, political and economic environment. It is vital for the MENA region to establish a modern and world class social, political and economic structure in order to increase sustainable improvements of the welfare of the society as soon as possible. MENA economies have a great degree of heterogeneity across countries. The main source of economic growth is natural resources especially oil, natural gas and primary goods for many MENA economies. For this reason, the fluctuations in energy prices in the global economy deeply affect the economic performance and macroeconomic indicators of these economies. Therefore, MENA economies are exposed to macroeconomic vulnerability in the case of internal and external economic and political shocks because of their structural economic problems, low productivity and also global competitiveness level and foreign dependency in intermediate goods and finance. In this perspective, the main aim of this book is to shed light on the main economic, social and political problems and characteristics of MENA economies by considering the latest in the global and regional turmoil.

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Book SynopsisThe contemporary economic crisis is one of the biggest in the global economy and has been forcefully applied to the real economy, revolting in a deep recession. Globalisation has in turn contributed to the faster transmission of the problem from country to country. This crisis disproportionally affects countries with small and medium development but also the medium and low social layers and small and medium entrepreneurship within countries. The stability of employment has fallen apart. The consequences of the economic crisis has brought out systemic problems and distortions in different sectors of productive activity; local communities and prefectures are examples of places in which, experience these consequences. The power of brands of significant value, and businesses at the global level, have also collapsed. The economic crisis also creates huge problems for the tourism sector which mainly consists of small and medium enterprises in southern European countries. This resulted in the tourist agents becoming unable to accommodate their customers'' needs. This monograph consists of a useful tool for other and future researchers but also for the local communities of various regions in order to be able to design a real exit from the crisis.

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Book SynopsisYemen''s "Arab Spring" uprising paralysed that country''s government and shattered its military into hostile factions for over a year beginning in early 2011. This prolonged crisis prevented Yemen''s government, under President Ali Abdullah Saleh, from doing much more than attempting to survive. Saleh used those military units that remained loyal to him for regime protection against anti-government demonstrators and troops who defected to those demonstrators. The uprising subsequently led to a security vacuum that helped allow Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and its insurgent force, Ansar al-Shariah, to expand their activities beyond terrorism due to the government''s preoccupation with the Arab Spring. Although AQAP and the Arab Spring demonstrators felt no kinship towards each other, AQAP was more than willing to take advantage of the disorder produced by the uprising. In this new security environment, the militants were able to seize and hold significant amounts of territory in southern Yemen. This book provides an overview and analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amidst evolving political change in Yemeni leadership; ongoing U.S. counter-terrorism operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operatives at large in Yemen''s hinterlands; and international efforts to bolster the country''s stability despite an array of daunting socio-economic problems.

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Book SynopsisIn 2000, Congress passed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. trade preference program, in order to help spur market-led economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and deepen U.S. trade and investment ties with the region. Since its enactment, Congress has amended AGOA five times, making some technical changes and renewing the trade preferences through September 30, 2015. According to the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, (USTR) for Africa, "AGOA is the cornerstone of America''s trade and investment policy with sub-Saharan Africa." Economic conditions in Africa, however, have changed considerably since Congress passed the initial AGOA legislation. Annual real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in SSA was nearly a full percentage point lower than global GDP growth (2.3% vs. 3.2%) in the decade leading up to AGOA''s passage (1990-2000). Over the last ten years, however, SSA''s growth averaged 5.7%, two points higher than the 3.7% world average. While the region still contains many of the world''s poorest countries and faces significant economic challenges, some observers and policymakers argue that changing economic conditions warrant an evolution in U.S. policy toward SSA, focused more strongly on private sector investment and increasing two-way trade. In recent years, SSA''s growing economic potential and abundant natural resources have attracted other foreign investors, including state- supported enterprises from countries such as China, which is now the region''s largest trading partner. This book seeks to inform the discussion on the potential reauthorization of AGOA through analysis of: (1) the components of the AGOA legislation; (2) U.S. import trends associated with AGOA; (3) the impact of AGOA on African economies and U.S.-Africa trade; and (4) the issues surrounding the reauthorization process.

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Book SynopsisThis series examines issues and economic matters particular to small businesses. The term Small Enterprise (or Small Organisation) is sometimes used for this same category of business or organisation. A small enterprise/organisation may also be a non-profit organisation. This volume covers several topics including: small business size standards and a historical analysis of contemporary issues; client experience and program impact of SBA assistance to small business start-ups; an overview of the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program; and an analysis of the SBA Veterans Assistance Programs.

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Book SynopsisIn 2011, the U.S. poverty rate was 15.0% -- 46.2 million persons were estimated as having income below the official poverty line. Neither the poverty rate nor the number of persons counted as poor differed statistically from a year earlier. Since 2006, when the poverty rate stood at 12.3%, marking its most recent low, the number of poor has grown by 9.7 million persons. The 46.2 million persons counted as poor in both 2011 and 2010 are the largest numbers counted in the measure''s recorded history, which goes back as far as 1959. The 2011 poverty rate of 15.0%, statistically tied with the 2010 rate, is the highest seen in the past 18 years (1993). The increase in poverty since 2006 reflects the effects of the economic recession that began in December 2007. The level of poverty tends to follow the economic cycle quite closely, tending to rise when the economy is faltering and fall when the economy is in sustained growth. This most recent recession, which officially ended in June 2009, was the longest recorded (18 months) in the post-World War II period. Even as the economy recovers, poverty is expected to remain high, as poverty rates generally do not begin to fall until economic expansion is well underway. Given the depth and duration of the recession, and the projected slow recovery, it will likely take several years or more before poverty rates recede to their 2006 pre-recession level. This book examines poverty in the U.S. and the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM).

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Book SynopsisThe West Bank and Gaza are comprised of about 2,400 square miles and have a combined population of 4.3 million people. The Palestinian Authority and Israel administer areas within the West Bank, and the Hamas-controlled de facto authorities operate in Gaza. A negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a core U.S. national security objective. The U.S. government''s foreign assistance program in the West Bank and Gaza is designed to advance progress toward the two-state solution by helping the Palestinian Authority build the institutions of a future Palestinian state, creating an atmosphere that supports negotiations, and improving the everyday lives of Palestinians, thereby contributing to the overall stability and security of the region. The U.S. government has provided assistance to the West Bank and Gaza both bilaterally and multilaterally for several decades. According to the State Department, the U.S. government is one of the largest donors to the Palestinian Authority, providing about $3 billion in bilateral assistance for fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to support education and social services, economic development, and humanitarian assistance, among other sectors. This book describes (1) the nature and scope of U.S. government involvement with the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), and (2) the processes for vetting PIF and other non-U.S. entities. To address these objectives, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed and analysed annual reports, U.S. antiterrorism policies, agency-specific vetting policies and procedures, and applicable program agreements obtained from PIF and relevant U.S. agencies and their implementing partners.

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Book SynopsisThe Treaty on the European Union provides for a Member State to leave the EU, either on the basis of a negotiated withdrawal agreement or without one. If the UK were to leave the EU following a referendum, it is likely that the Government would negotiate an agreement with the EU, which would probably contain transitional arrangements as well as provide for the UK''s long-term future relations with the EU. There is no precedent for such an agreement, but it would in all likelihood come at the end of complex and lengthy negotiations. The full impact of a UK withdrawal is impossible to predict, but from an assessment of the current EU role in a range of policy areas, it is possible to identify issues and estimate some of the impacts of removing the EU role in these areas. The implications would be greater in areas such as agriculture, trade and employment than they would in, say, education or culture. As to whether UK citizens would benefit from leaving the EU, this would depend on how the UK Government of the day filled the policy gaps left by withdrawal from the EU. In some areas, the environment, for example, where the UK is bound by other international agreements, much of the content of EU law would probably remain. In others, it might be expedient for the UK to retain the substance of EU law, or for the Government to remove EU obligations from UK statutes. Much would depend on whether the UK sought to remain in the European Economic Area (EEA) and therefore continue to have access to the single market, or preferred to go it alone and negotiate bilateral agreements with the EU.

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Book SynopsisIn this second book of the series, topics discussed include the economic significance, current risk, and policy responses to deflation; crowd-funding and the exemption for small firms from Securities and Exchange Commission registration requirements; economic downturns and crime; auction-rate securities; and consumer fee increases in the usage of automated teller machines.

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Book SynopsisRegarding U.S. relief and reconstruction plans, programs, and operations in Iraq, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) provides independent and objective: oversight and review through comprehensive audits, inspections, and investigations; advice and recommendations on policies to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; prevention, detection, and deterrence of fraud, waste, and abuse; and information and analysis to the Congress, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the American people. This book provides a review of SIGIR''s history, delving into the perennial challenges and various successes in Iraq and examines events in Iraq this last quarter marked by a sharp rise in violence. Final assessments of the Special Inspector General and post-U.S. withdrawal developments are discussed.

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Book SynopsisSouth Africa is a multi-racial, majority black southern African country of nearly 52 million. It held its first universal suffrage elections in 1994, after a transition from white minority rule under apartheid, a system of state-enforced racial segregation and socio-economic discrimination. South Africa is influential regionally, due to its political engagement and trade and investment across Africa and its active role within the African Union. It is viewed as a U.S. strategic partner in Africa, despite periodic differences over some foreign policy issues. In late June 2013, President Obama travelled to South Africa after visiting Senegal, prior to a visit to Tanzania. The trip centred on U.S.-African partnership in the areas of trade and investment, development, democracy and youth leadership development, and peace and security. Key issues addressed in South Africa included bilateral political and economic ties, development co-operation, and shared U.S.-South African aims regarding conflict mitigation, increased trade and investment, and development across Africa. This book provides an overview of current conditions, issues and U.S. relations corresponding to South Africa, with a focus on the most recent human rights and international religious freedom reports; trafficking-in statistics and economic investment climate.

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Book SynopsisTrade barriers elude fixed definitions, but may be broadly defined as government laws, regulations, policies, or practices that either protect domestic goods and services from foreign competition, artificially stimulate exports of particular domestic goods and services, or fail to provide adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights. The 2013 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) is the 28th in an annual series that surveys significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports. This book provides an overview of this report which estimates the impact of foreign practices on the value of U.S. exports. Information is also included on some of the actions taken to eliminate foreign trade barriers. Opening markets for American goods and services, either through negotiating trade agreements or through results-oriented enforcement actions, is the Obama Administration''s top trade priority. This book is an important tool for identifying trade barriers and classifies these barriers into nine different categories. These categories cover government-imposed measures and policies that restrict, prevent, or impede the international exchange of goods and services.

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