Background Notes [State Dept.] (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/) -- Brief background on people, history, government, political conditions, economy, foreign relations, travel, and business in each country.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices [State Dept.] (http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/) -- Reports on internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights in each foreign country.
Country Studies/Area Handbooks [Library of Congress (LOC)] (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html) -- For each of 70 countries covers social life, economy, history, government and politics, and national security.
Defense Almanac [DoD] (http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/almanac/) -- Information and statistical material about the Dept. of Defense - organization, forces and weapons, and funding and expenditures.
Patterns of Global Terrorism [State Dept.] (http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/pgtrpt/) -- Report on countries that provide state support for terrorism and on individuals and groups responsible for kidnapping or death of a U.S. citizen in the previous five years.
World Factbook [CIA] (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html) -- For each country basic facts on geography, government, people, economy, communications, transportation, military, flag, and map.
Agency for International Development (USAID) (http://www.usaid.gov/) -- Administers international economic and humanitarian foreign aid, including famine relief, medicines, energy development, literacy training, and small business assistance to developing countries.
Bureau of Arms Control [State Dept.] (http://www.state.gov/t/ac/) -- Develops policy about conventional, chemical/biological, and nuclear forces; for arms control negotiations; and for related national security issues such as nuclear testing and missile defense.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (https://www.cia.gov/) -- Collects information relating to national security; conducts counterintelligence operations both inside and outside the U.S.; and carries out intelligence operations to support the military.
Dept. of Defense (DoD) (http://www.defenselink.mil/) -- Responsible for the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our country; directs the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force on active duty and, in case of emergency, the Reserve and National Guard; provides military advice to the President.
Dept. of State (http://www.state.gov/) -- Advises the President in formulating and executing foreign policy, analyzes American overseas interests, negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign nations, and speaks for the U.S. in the United Nations and other international organizations and at international conferences.
International Information Programs (formerly U.S. Information Agency) [State Dept.] (http://usinfo.state.gov/) -- Provides information for international media, government officials, and opinion leaders, and for the general public in countries around the world.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (http://www.fao.org) -- Attempts to eliminate hunger and raise living conditions through agricultural improvements as well as resource conservation and management. Includes Virtual Library (http://www.fao.org/waicent/portal/Virtualibrary_en.asp).
International Monetary Fund (IMF) (http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm) -- Using its monetary and other resources, the IMF works to broaden international trade and stabilize exchange rates.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (http://www.oecd.org/home/) -- Promotes greater economic development and international trade for member and non-member countries. Includes economic policy, food and agriculture, and education.
United Nations (http://www.un.org/english/) -- Although international peace and security is at the fore of the U.N. charge, its activities range widely to include economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian programs. See Alphabetic Index of the organizations in the United Nations System.
World Bank (IRBD) (http://www.worldbank.org/) -- Provides loans to countries and organizations, offers policy guidance, and conducts analysis prior to economic development activities.
World Health Organization (WHO) (http://www.who.int/) -- Promotes the highest level of health for people worldwide through work with governments and other health organizations. Includes World Health Report (http://www.who.int/whr/en/).
Brookings Institution (http://www.brookings.edu/) -- Powerful think tank that focuses on the performance of government, the effectiveness of its programs, and the quality of public policy. Includes Foreign Policy Studies (http://www.brookings.edu/foreign-policy.aspx).
Center for Security Policy (http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/) -- Nonpartisan conservative think tank.
Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) (http://www.ciaonet.org/) -- Includes working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals and policy briefs.
Council on Foreign Relations (http://www.cfr.org/) -- Powerful nonpartisan foreign affairs establishment organization; includes many former and future members of government.
WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources (http://www.etown.edu/vl/index.html) -- Elizabethtown College -- area studies; country, government, and statistical information; foreign policy; conflict resolution; human rights; international economy and security; and peacekeeping
Zarate's Political Collections: Dates and Figures of the Worldwide Leadership Since 1945 (http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/) -- Political leaders (1945-), changes & re-elections, current leaders world-wide, longest in office, women leaders (1945-), European governments (1990-), first African rulers, and rulers dead in violent circumstances (1945-).
