Bill Overview
Title: U.S.-Albania Cooperation Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of State to report on the viability of military infrastructure in two port cities in Albania as locations for cooperative security activities, including NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) activities and exercises. The report must also include a description of opportunities and cost estimates for the United States to support training and equipment for Albania's military forces.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in U.S., Albanian, and NATO military and defense sectors
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill involves cooperation between the United States and Albania in military infrastructure and activities.
- This affects individuals involved in the military and defense sectors of both countries.
- NATO personnel may also be impacted, as the bill discusses NATO activities and exercises in Albania.
- Citizens of Albania may be affected by increased military presence or infrastructure developments in their country.
- The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State will also be involved in reporting and possibly implementation.
Reasoning
- The U.S.-Albania Cooperation Act primarily affects individuals in the military and defense sectors, both in the U.S. and those involved in NATO activities. Thus, interviews will focus on people directly related to military operations and policy decisions.
- Budget restrictions suggest that short-term costs are moderate, indicating potential shifts in military training and infrastructure support rather than large-scale deployments or constructions.
- The policy is likely to influence U.S. military personnel who may be stationed in Europe, especially for those in roles associated with NATO or defense strategy involving Albania.
- Economic effects on local U.S. communities are likely minimal as the operational aspects of this policy are international and defense-focused rather than civilian-oriented.
- Given the policy scope, individuals in administrative, operational, and strategic roles within the military and defense sectors are included, while typical civilians or non-defense sectors remain largely unaffected.
Simulated Interviews
Pentagon Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with our strategic objectives to strengthen NATO ties in Eastern Europe.
- The budget constraints mean we're focusing more on planning and strategic development rather than immediate action.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
NATO Liaison Officer (New York)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Strengthening infrastructure in Albania is crucial for expanding NATO's reach in the region.
- The policy should outline clear metrics for success to maximize the investment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Army Reservist (Kansas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open more deployment opportunities in Europe, though not entirely sure of the everyday impact.
- Hope this also means upgrading our own training facilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Defense Department Intern (Virginia)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Exciting to see real-world applications of international defense cooperation in my role.
- Budget constraints could limit the scope of potential initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Military Equipment Supplier (California)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might increase orders for specific equipment, beneficial for business.
- Skeptical about the actual financial impact given the budget limits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Air Force Officer (Texas)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Could mean more chances to engage with NATO partner forces closely.
- Hope this improves readiness and interoperability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Naval Officer (Alaska)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy is a step forward but realistic expectations on implementation are necessary.
- Training and infrastructure developments should aim for long-term viability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Junior Defense Analyst (Florida)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this will streamline logistics processes for military exercises.
- Sufficient funding needs to be allocated for effective implementation and oversight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Foreign Policy Consultant (Colorado)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act could reinforce U.S.-European security alliances, crucial in modern geopolitics.
- Next steps should ensure a balance between military readiness and political sensitivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
State Department Official (Illinois)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The collaboration can be a diplomatic win if handled well with Albania.
- Transparency in reporting and clear cost evaluations are vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $400000 (Low: $300000, High: $600000)
Year 10: $250000 (Low: $200000, High: $400000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The focus of the bill is on feasibility assessments rather than direct implementation, which limits both costs and economic impacts.
- The bill's findings may influence future defense investments or international cooperation involving NATO, but such moves will require separate legislative actions.