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.
From the Editor
English Summary
The escalation of conflict involving Iran and Israel poses significant global risks that extend far beyond the Middle East region. Key concerns highlighted include the vulnerability of critical maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential for geopolitical instability to trigger widespread global food crises. Strategically, regional powers must overcome internal divisions to counter external dominance efforts in the area. Furthermore, Europe faces a pressing need to redefine its defense posture while addressing critical dependencies on major global partners.
中文摘要
伊朗和以色列之間衝突的升級，對全球構成重大風險，其影響遠超中東地區。主要關注點包括關鍵海運要道（如霍爾木茲海峽）的脆弱性，以及地緣政治不穩定可能引發全球範圍糧食危機的可能性。從戰略角度來看，區域大國必須克服內部分歧，以抵制外部勢力的主導企圖。此外，歐洲迫切需要重新定義其防禦態勢，同時解決對主要全球夥伴的關鍵依賴性問題。
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