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Countries
Basic Information
- Background Notes
Brief information on the history, geography, people, economy, government, and foreign relations of the nations of the world. From the State Department.
- Country Studies
Lengthy studies of the history, economy, government, and culture of many of the countries of the world. See especially Yugoslavia From the Library of Congress.
Special Topics
- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
Annual reports on the status of human rights in countries receiving foreign assistance from the U.S. or in other countries which are members of the United Nations. From the Department of State.
- International Religious Freedom Report
Annual reports on the status of religious freedom in each country and on government policies which violate religious freedom. From the Department of State.
- Trafficking in Persons Report
Annual reports on the status of transporting of persons by illegal means for sex, cheap labor or other coercive purposes.
State Department Resources
- Foreign Relations of the U.S. (State Department)
The official documentary historical record of U.S. foreign policy. 25-30 year delay in publication due to classification/declassification policies/problems. Look for volumes on Eastern Europe for background to contemporary problems. Print volumes in Swem are located at JX 233 .A3. A few microfiche supplements are at S 1.1: in the Government Information Microfilm collection.
- Foreign Relations of the U.S. (University of Wisconsin)
Retrospective project to digitize the entire run of FRUS by a university. Incomplete coverage at present from 1863-1950s.
- Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (State Department)
Includes Balkans region. Covers current foreign policy statements and activities.
- Europe and Eurasia
Information posted on the Eastern Europe, Central Asia area by the State Department's Office of International Information Programs. Creates products and services designed to support the U.S. State Department's initiatives.
Other Federal Resources
News Resources
- Lexis-Nexis Academic
Great source for current newspapers with worldwide coverage.
- RFE/RL Newsline
Daily summaries by Americans of news developments from local media in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. From Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty.
- Transitions Online
An online magazine covering central and eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union.
- VOA News
News reports from the Voice of America broadcast service.
- World News Connection
Translations of newspapers and news broadcasts from around the world. Subscription source from the CIA.
Database Resources
- JSTOR
Full text coverage of academic journals from origin of the journal run. No coverage for most recent few years.
- Academic One File
News and articles on a variety of topics with some full text.
- PAIS International
Covers books, journals and government documents related to public affairs and public administration
- Historical Abstracts
Citations and abstracts of books and articles in historical journals.
- LexisNexis Congressional
For congressional committee publications on Balkans topics and to trace current legislation relating to foreign aid, human rights or whatever.
- Access UN (United Nations Index)
Indexes statements and documents of UN by topic and by country. Accompanied by full text on microfiche
- CIAO: Columbia International Affairs Online
Brings together research studies, policy papers and other hard-to-find publications from research institutions and think tanks which can be searched separately or collectively. Coverage includes Eastern Europe and countries of the former Soviet Union.
Research Organizations
- Balkan Reconstruction Report
Post-conflict news from the Balkan region covering issues of long-term relevance.
- Brookings Institution
A research organization devoted to public policy issues in the areas of economics, foreign policy and governance.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
A private organization dedicated to advancing cooperation among nations and promoting active international engagement by the U.S.
- Cato Institute
A research organization devoted to public policy issues that favor free markets and limited government.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
See especially the "Eastern Europe Project" under "Programs"
- East European Constitutional Review
A quarterly journal that features articles and issues related to reform of the legal systems of former socialist countries. See also "Country by Country Resources" under "Research Resources."
- Erik Herron's Guide to Politics in East Central Europe and Eurasia
Called "the most comprehensive list of links currently available for researchers of contemporary politics in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union." Compiled by a University of Kansas professor.
- European Stability Initiative
A research institute with a specific focus on South Eastern Europe. Features reports on the historical background and recent events in the region.
- Freedom House
A research organization that works to advance expansion of political and economic freedom. Publishes Nations in Transit, an annual study of conditions in the countries of Eastern Europe and the FSU.
- Human Rights Watch
Research and reports on the status of human rights. Coverage includes Balkans and FSU countries under "Europe/Central Asia" heading.
- Inequality Around the World
Research by the World Bank on income and inequality in transition (including Eastern Europe and the FSU) societies.
- Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Balkans
Supports and promotes independent journalism in areas of conflict. The Balkans are a major program focus for this organization.
- International Crisis Group
Research and analysis on conflict spots in the Balkans and the FSU by a private, multinational organization which tries to strengthen the capacity of the international community to anticipate, understand and prevent/contain conflict.
- Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)
Maintains and provides access to a vast archive of social science data for research. Search its website for individual-level data on a country of interest. See Professor Pickering for assistance with data analysis
- REENIC
Russian and East European Network Information Center, located at the University of Texas at Austin, offers resources in general, by region, and by country for Eastern and Central Europe and the FSU.
- Woodrow Wilson Center for East European Studies
A nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national and world affairs. See event summaries and opinion pieces for writing by scholars on and practitioners in South Eastern Europe. If you are in D.C. on Wednesdays, check out its "events calendar" for talks by experts on South Eastern Europe
Non-Governmental Organizations
- Catholic Relief Services: Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Region
Offers details of programs run by CRS for emergency assistance to the poor and long term social and economic support. Drop down box offers selection of programs by country.
- Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI)
A public service project of the American Bar Association to support the law reform process in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. See especially sections on "Program Information" and "Legal Information" under "Countries."
- The Dayton Peace Accords Project
Assists post-conflict parties--particularly in Bosnia--in
developing practical solutions to issues of peace implementation,
constitutional development, institution building, economic development, and
cultural and ethnic heritage through the provision of appropriate and timely
technical, legal, and advocacy assistance
- International Relief and Development
A private voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in the most economically deprived parts of the world by facilitating and supporting assistance tailored specifically to their needs. Check "Where We Work" for general program overview and "Balkans."
- International Republican Institute
Reports, analysis and description of programs implemented by the International Republican Institute on elections and political participation in Eastern Europe
- International Rescue Committee
Focuses on relief for refugees fleeing persecution and violent conflict. Under "Country Programs," offers links to Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo/Macedonia and Serbia & Montenegro with details on programs and links to readings.
- International Research and Exchanges Board
Specializes in education, independent media,
Internet development, and civil society programs in the United States,
Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia. Also produces the
annual Media Sustainability Index, which provides the only comprehensive
qualitative and quantitative analysis of media development in twenty
countries across Europe and Eurasia.
- National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Reports, analysis and description of programs implemented by the National Democratic Institute on elections and political participation in Eastern Europe
- Open Society Institute
A private operating and grantmaking
foundation founded by George Soros, which aims to shape public policy to promote
democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform.
On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule
of law, education, public health, and independent media.
International Organizations
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Largest regional security organization in the world with 55 participating states from Europe, Central Asia, and North America.
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Field Activities
Information on the field missions in the Balkans, the Baltics, Moldova, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Information on the special OSCE mission to promote democratic institutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina
- European Commission. Enlargement
Official documents on the progress of East European countries in meeting European Union requirements for accession.
- European Commission. Public Opinion Analysis Sector
Monitors the evolution of public opinion in the member states
- CEORG: Central European Opinion Research Group
East Central European attitudes toward the EU
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Information about the activities of the organization created in 1991 to stimulate investment in 27 former soviet countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. Includes information at the country level under "Countries and Sectors."
- NATO On-Line Library
Includes information on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's role in the Balkans, the Partnership for Peace Program, NATO enlargement and other topics.
- Parline Database on National Parliaments
Provides information on the structure, members, elections, rules and working methods for the parliamentary chambers of more than 180 countries including those of East European countries. Includes election archives back to 1967. From the InterParliamentary Union.
- United Nations
Main UN page. Leads to statements by "Member States" or to "Main Bodies" to access statements and documents of General Assembly and Security Council. Under "Issues on the UN Agenda," look at "Peace and Security" for details of past and current peacekeeping operations.
- UN Documentation Centre
For UN General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic & Social Council documents and resolutions by session.
- United Nations Index to Speeches
Search UN speeches by speaker/country or keyword. The "Index to Speeches" is at the bottom of the page.
- UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency
Check "Browse by Country" feature for news, statistics, and information about UN refugee operations by country.
- International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Includes latest developments, indictments and proceedings, and basic legal documents. Also includes material from the trial of Milosevic.
- Video Archive - Trial of Slobodan Milosevic
A complete record on video, with audio in English, of each day of the trial of Milosevic. Real Player required.
- OHR (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Reports and research by the Office of the UN High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (the chief international civilian administrator).
- International Organization for Migration
Reports and research on migration management activities throughout the world.
- World Bank
Reports and research by one of the largest sources of development assistance. See "Europe & Central Asia" under "Countries and Regions." Also "Data and Statistics" for data by country.
- Alan Zoellner
Government Information Librarian
Phone: 221-3065
Email: afzoel@wm.edu
IM: afzoel05
