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.
Trump Should Take the U.S. Military’s Warning on Iran Seriously
English Summary
Max Boot argues that the Trump administration must heed military warnings regarding the high risks of a sustained conflict with Iran, which poses far greater dangers than previous limited strikes. Key concerns include potential Iranian attacks on regional oil infrastructure, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and a critical depletion of U.S. precision-guided munitions required for other global theaters like China and Russia. Additionally, the author notes that extended naval deployments are straining military readiness while a lack of regional ally support complicates any exit strategy. Consequently, a prolonged conflict could severely weaken U.S. strategic posture and global economic stability without guaranteed regime concessions.
中文摘要
Max Boot 主張川普政府必須聽取軍方警告，關注與伊朗持續衝突的高風險，其危險程度遠超以往的有限打擊。主要擔憂包括伊朗可能攻擊區域石油基礎設施、封鎖荷姆茲海峽，以及美國精確導引彈藥的嚴重枯竭，而這些彈藥對應對中國和俄羅斯等全球其他戰區至關重要。此外，作者指出，延長的海軍部署正消耗軍事準備能力，且缺乏區域盟友支持使退出策略更趨複雜。因此，一場持久衝突可能在無法確保政權讓步的情況下，嚴重削弱美國的戰略態勢及全球經濟穩定。
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