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.
Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2026
English Summary
The 2026 assessment argues that the U.S. faces a complex and unpredictable terrorism landscape, moving away from a single paramount threat. Key evidence points to growing strength among formal al Qaeda and ISIS affiliates in the Middle East and Africa, while the domestic threat stems primarily from loose networks and lone actors motivated by niche ideologies. Policy implications suggest that counterterrorism strategies must adapt to this varied threat profile, especially as the U.S. simultaneously reduces overall investment in the field.
中文摘要
2026年的評估報告指出，美國面臨一個複雜且不可預測的恐怖主義格局，其威脅已遠離單一的首要威脅。關鍵證據顯示，中東和非洲地區的正式隸屬於基地組織（al Qaeda）和伊斯蘭國（ISIS）的分支機構正在增強實力；而國內的威脅則主要源於受利基意識形態驅動的鬆散網絡和單人行動者。政策啟示表明，反恐戰略必須適應這種多樣化的威脅態勢，尤其是在美國同時減少對該領域整體投資的背景下。
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