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.
Why Allies Aren’t Following on Iran, With Kristi Govella and Constanze Stelzenmüller
English Summary
U.S. allies in Europe and Japan are largely declining to actively join the Iran war, signaling a shift towards strategic independence and pragmatism in their foreign policies despite U.S. pressure. European leaders cite past U.S. actions and domestic political factors for their reluctance, while Japan emphasizes constitutional constraints on military involvement, though both provide some U.S. operational support. The conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz pose severe economic threats to both regions, impacting energy security and global stability. This growing divergence in interests, coupled with waning U.S. soft power, prompts allies to hedge through diversified relationships, raising questions about the long-term cohesion of U.S. alliances.
中文摘要
儘管美國施壓，美國在歐洲和日本的盟友大多拒絕積極參與伊朗戰爭，這表明他們的外交政策正轉向戰略獨立和務實。歐洲領導人將其不情願歸因於美國過去的行動和國內政治因素，而日本則強調其憲法對軍事介入的限制，儘管兩者都向美國提供了一些行動支援。衝突和荷姆茲海峽的關閉對這兩個地區構成嚴重的經濟威脅，影響能源安全和全球穩定。這種日益增長的利益分歧，加上美國軟實力的減弱，促使盟友通過多元化關係進行對沖，這引發了對美國聯盟長期凝聚力的質疑。
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