http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33456.pdf
Describes current political and economic situation of Brazil and recent strains in Brazil-U.S. relations due to alleged National Security Agency activities inside Brazil. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43239.pdf
Analyzes the economic and political situation in Venezuela since the death of Chavez, and the country’s foreign policy orientation. Also examines key issues between the U.S. and Venezuela.
From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists
http://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/Afghan_report_Summary_Findings_2013.pdf
Reports a 49% increase in opium production in Afghanistan in 2013 compared to 2012, but also that the country’s counter narcotic institutions have improved in effectiveness. From the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41412.pdf
Describes the types of crimes or offenses which involve required mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment upon conviction, such as misconduct involving firearms or a federal drug trafficking offense, U.S. Sentencing Commission recommendations involving such tack-on sentences, and constitutional considerations. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads//assets/crs/R42394.pdf
Examines three federal assistance programs administered at the state or local level and the drug testing and other crime-related restrictions which are used to disqualify recipients deemed unworthy of assistance. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by National Agricultural Law Center
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/download.cfm?q=1173
Examines the threat posed by the international drug trade to the U.S., how the U.S. military can contribute to countering this threat, and the adjustments needed to accomplish this goal. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College
http://unama.unmissions.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xT8mhyY1bmU%3d&tabid=12323&language=en-US
Reports the area under cultivation decreased by 17% but the output increased by 8%. From the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
http://www.ussc.gov/Quick_Facts/Quick_Facts_Marijuana_Trafficking.pdf
A brief list of offender and offense characteristics related to marijuana plus sentences received compared to sentencing guidelines. From the United States Sentencing Commission