{
  "id": "R41556",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R41556",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 375382,
      "date": "2011-01-03",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T01:16:17.826346",
      "title": "The Middle East: Selected Key Issues and Options for the 112th Congress",
      "summary": "The Middle East, broadly defined as an area stretching from North Africa to Afghanistan, presents an array of challenges to U.S. foreign policy. Although the United States maintains strong relations with several key Arab and non-Arab states such as Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey, other state and non-state actors, such as Iran, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Palestinian Sunni group Hamas, are aligned against U.S. interests. The United States and its regional and international allies continue to work to limit the influence of these actors while advocating for economic and political reform to address ongoing socioeconomic challenges and to promote democracy and a greater respect for human rights in the region. \nMembers of the 112th Congress may face any number of issues in or relating to the Middle East including the war in Afghanistan, terrorism, foreign assistance, democracy promotion, and ongoing effects of the global financial crisis. This report provides an overview of key issues, a summary of past congressional action on these issues, and options for congressional consideration during the 112th Congress.  \nKey issues include:\nIran Sanctions\nPreserving Israel\u2019s Qualitative Military Edge\nIsraeli-Palestinian Peace Process\nU.S. Aid to the Palestinians\nSaudi Arabia: Arms Sales and Security Cooperation\nYemen\nIraq: Defining Post-2011 Relations\nTurkey\nU.S. Policy Toward Syria\nU.S. Support for Lebanon\nU.S. Democracy Promotion in Egypt\nIslam, Al Qaeda, and U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy\nThis report also contains a section, Appendix A, with links to relevant Congressional Research Service reports, along with analyst contact information.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Middle Eastern Affairs"
  ]
}