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.
An America adrift risks falling behind China
English Summary
The Brookings report argues that the United States risks falling behind China because its traditional pillars of global preeminence—including military and economic power—are eroding. Key evidence highlights the depletion of U.S. military capacity from prolonged conflicts, the diminishing effectiveness of economic sanctions, and the distraction caused by domestic political cycles. To counter this strategic decline, the analysis concludes that the U.S. must shift its focus from external confrontation to internal reform. Sustaining competition with China requires a deep political consensus and comprehensive overhaul of military, economic statecraft, and industrial policy, asserting that America's strength abroad must be built at home.
中文摘要
布魯金斯報告指出，由於美國傳統的全球主導支柱——包括軍事和經濟實力——正在衰退，美國面臨落後於中國的風險。報告的關鍵證據強調了長期衝突導致的美國軍事能力耗損、經濟制裁效力的減弱，以及國內政治週期帶來的分心。為應對這種戰略衰退，分析結論指出，美國必須將重點從外部對抗轉向內部改革。維持與中國的競爭，需要建立深厚的政治共識，並全面修訂軍事、經濟國策和產業政策，主張美國的海外實力必須從國內建設起來。
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