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.
Israel’s accelerating de facto annexation of the West Bank has dangerous implications
English Summary
Chatham House warns that Israel is accelerating a de facto annexation of the West Bank, a process that severely undermines the possibility of a viable Palestinian state. Key evidence includes far-right policies driving massive settlement expansion and the establishment of Israeli governance over occupied areas, such as the controversial process of registering West Bank land as state property. The report argues that this unilateral action is dangerous, jeopardizing regional stability and the prospects for peace. For policy, the authors recommend that the US and regional powers (including the UAE and Saudi Arabia) must coordinate to condition political and military support on Israel reversing these annexation measures to prevent further conflict.
中文摘要
查塔姆學會警告，以色列正在加速對西岸進行事實性吞併，這一過程嚴重削弱了建立一個可行的巴勒斯坦國的可能性。關鍵證據包括極右翼政策推動的大規模定居點擴張，以及以色列在佔領地區建立治理體系，例如將西岸土地登記為國家財產的爭議性程序。報告指出，這種單方面行動極具風險，危及區域穩定和和平前景。在政策建議方面，作者們建議美國和區域大國（包括阿聯酋和沙烏地阿拉伯）必須協調行動，將政治和軍事支持與以色列撤銷這些吞併措施掛鉤，以防止局勢進一步惡化。
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