The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Can the United States and Europe still cooperate in the Middle East?
English Summary
Transatlantic cooperation between the U.S. and Europe in the Middle East is currently severely strained due to deep policy divisions over Gaza and Iran, compounded by U.S. unilateral actions and political hostility. While shared interests exist, the current climate—marked by disagreements on international law, the use of force, and U.S. support for Israel—makes major cooperation unlikely in the short term. However, the analysis suggests that Europe can enhance its influence by overcoming internal divisions and leveraging its independent capacity for humanitarian aid, sanctions, and investment. Ultimately, for cooperation to resume, the U.S. must adopt a more aligned and cooperative policy approach.
中文摘要
美國與歐洲在中東的跨大西洋合作目前因加薩和伊朗問題的深刻政策分歧，以及美國的單邊行動和政治敵意而處於極度緊張的狀態。儘管雙方存在共同利益，但當前氣氛——體現在國際法、武力使用以及美國對以色列的支持等議題上的分歧——使得短期內進行重大合作的可能性極低。然而，本分析指出，歐洲若能克服內部分歧，並發揮其在人道援助、制裁和投資方面的獨立能力，便能提升其影響力。最終而言，若要恢復合作，美國必須採取更具一致性和合作性的政策方針。
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