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.
Leapfrogging China’s Critical Minerals Dominance
English Summary
The United States should 'leapfrog' China’s critical mineral dominance by prioritizing disruptive innovation, waste recovery, and recycling instead of attempting to out-mine or out-process China's entrenched capacity. The report argues that traditional mining projects are too slow to mitigate immediate geopolitical risks, whereas breakthroughs in materials science and AI-enabled extraction from industrial waste offer faster, more resilient paths to independence. Key policy recommendations include launching a national innovation strategy, bridging financing gaps for deep-tech startups, and coordinating with G7 allies to secure circular mineral supply chains.
中文摘要
美國應透過優先發展顛覆性創新、廢棄物回收與再生利用，來「跨越」中國在關鍵礦產領域的主導地位，而非試圖在採礦或加工產能上與中國既有的深厚實力競爭。報告指出，傳統採礦項目的進度過於緩慢，難以緩解緊迫的地緣政治風險；相比之下，材料科學的突破以及人工智慧驅動的工業廢棄物提取技術，能為實現自主提供更快速且具韌性的路徑。關鍵政策建議包括：啟動國家創新戰略、彌補深科技新創公司的融資缺口，以及與 G7 盟友協調以確保循環礦產供應鏈。
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