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.
The Asian Anchor
English Summary
The article argues that U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with Japan, Australia, and South Korea, are not merely strategic tools but represent a profound and vital strategic interdependence. This interdependence is critical for U.S. military operations and national economic stability, especially as the region faces increasing coercion from China. Policymakers must therefore resist viewing allies as dependent partners; instead, they should recognize that American power relies on these deep ties. The optimal strategy requires rebalancing the strategic bargain by pairing fair burden-sharing demands with deeper military, economic, and technological integration across the region.
中文摘要
本文論述美國在印太地區的聯盟關係，特別是與日本、澳洲和韓國的合作，不僅僅是戰略工具，更代表著一種深層且至關重要的戰略互賴。這種互賴對於美國的軍事行動和國家經濟穩定至關重要，尤其是在該地區面臨中國日益增加的威懾和壓力之下。因此，政策制定者必須抵制將盟友視為依賴夥伴的觀念；相反地，他們應認識到美國的力量仰賴於這些深厚的聯繫。最佳策略要求重新平衡戰略交易，即在提出公平的負擔分擔要求之餘，進一步深化整個區域的軍事、經濟和技術整合。
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