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.
China will benefit from the Iran war, regardless of any deal between Trump and Tehran
English Summary
The war in Iran is unlikely to establish China as a direct replacement for the US as the Gulf's security provider, but it is accelerating the region's strategic shift away from absolute reliance on American guarantees. This dynamic allows China to gain influence by positioning itself as a diplomatic and technological partner, rather than a military guarantor. Gulf states are diversifying their defense procurement and seeking alternative regional stability models. Consequently, China is well-positioned to promote its own normative framework for regional cooperation, making its principles appealing to nations seeking stability without US-centric security commitments.
中文摘要
伊蘭戰爭不太可能讓中國成為海灣地區取代美國的直接安全提供者，但它確實加速了該地區擺脫對美國保障絕對依賴的戰略轉型。這種動態使得中國能夠將自身定位為外交和技術夥伴，而非軍事擔保方，從而獲得影響力。海灣國家正在多元化其國防採購，並尋求替代性的區域穩定模式。因此，中國處於有利地位，可以推動其自身的區域合作規範框架，使其原則對尋求穩定但又不願接受以美國為中心的安全承諾的國家具有吸引力。
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