Number: RL34531
Title: Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA): What Is It, and How Might One Be Utilized In Iraq?
Authors: R. Chuck Mason, American Law Division 
Abstract: SOFAs are often included, along with other types of military agreements, as part of a comprehensive security arrangement with a particular country. A SOFA itself does not constitute a security arrangement; rather, it establishes the rights and privileges of U.S. personnel present in a country in support of the larger security arrangement. SOFAs may be entered based on authority found in previous treaties and congressional actions or as sole executive agreements. The United States is currently party to more than 100 agreements that may be considered SOFAs. A list of current agreements included at the end of this report is categorized in tables according to the underlying source of authority, if any, for each of the SOFAs.
Pages: 31
Date: December 1, 2008