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.
Late-breaking shocks and shifting goalposts: Takaichi’s highwire Washington visit
English Summary
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to Washington seeks to reinforce the U.S.-Japan alliance through $550 billion in strategic investment pledges and record-breaking defense spending. However, the partnership is being strained by new U.S. tariff offensives and the redirection of American military assets from the Indo-Pacific to address escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Tokyo faces a difficult balancing act as it navigates U.S. demands for maritime assistance in the Strait of Hormuz while attempting to maintain credible deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Ultimately, the visit highlights a growing tension where Washington-driven economic and security shocks are complicating Japan's pursuit of strategic autonomy and regional stability.
中文摘要
日本首相高市早苗訪問華盛頓，尋求透過 5,500 億美元的戰略投資承諾和破紀錄的國防開支來強化美日同盟。然而，由於美國發動的新關稅攻勢，以及為因應中東升級的衝突而將美軍資產從印太地區調離，雙邊夥伴關係正承受壓力。東京在回應美國對荷姆茲海峽海上援助的要求，與試圖在台灣海峽維持可靠威懾力之間，面臨艱難的平衡。最終，這次訪問凸顯了日益加劇的緊張局勢，華盛頓主導的經濟與安全衝擊，正使日本追求戰略自主與區域穩定面臨更多複雜挑戰。
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