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.
Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump? Independent Thinking podcast
English Summary
President Trump's military campaign against Iran, now three weeks in, is failing to secure international support despite his appeals to NATO and other allies. The US administration faces reluctance from traditional partners to participate or be drawn into the conflict, driven by concerns about regional instability, economic disruption, and the risks of Tehran's retaliatory escalation. The muted European response and lukewarm Gulf state backing complicate the broader strategic objective of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This diplomatic isolation raises questions about US credibility and alliance cohesion precisely when the administration is simultaneously managing crises in Ukraine, Cuba, and Venezuela.
中文摘要
川普總統針對伊朗的軍事行動已進行三週，儘管向北約及其他盟國呼籲，仍未能爭取到國際支持。美國政府面臨傳統盟國不願參與或被捲入衝突的局面，此乃源於對區域穩定、經濟衝擊及伊朗報復性升級風險的擔憂。歐洲反應不力及波灣國家支持有限，複雜化了重新開放荷木茲海峽這一更廣泛的戰略目標。此種外交孤立態勢引發對美國信譽與盟國凝聚力的質疑，特別是在政府同時應對烏克蘭、古巴及委內瑞拉危機的當下。
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