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.
Reining in the Export Control Arms Race
English Summary
The article argues that the use of export controls has dangerously shifted from a limited national security tool to a broad instrument of economic statecraft, fueling an escalating 'arms race' between the U.S. and China. Key evidence highlights how both nations have weaponized controls—using advanced chips, AI restrictions, and rare earths as bargaining chips in trade negotiations. This tit-for-tat escalation severely erodes the credibility and legitimacy of U.S. export controls, undermining their intended purpose of securing national interests. Policymakers must address this instability, as the current approach hinders multilateral cooperation and risks global economic stability.
中文摘要
本文論述，出口管制的使用已從原本受限於國家安全的工具，危險地轉變為廣泛的經濟國家戰略工具，從而助長了美中之間日益升級的「武器化競賽」。關鍵證據顯示，兩國都將管制措施武器化，利用先進晶片、人工智慧限制和稀土等作為貿易談判的籌碼。這種你來我往的報復性升級，嚴重侵蝕了美國出口管制的信譽和合法性，削弱了其確保國家利益的本意。政策制定者必須正視這種不穩定性，因為目前的做法阻礙了多邊合作，並威脅到全球經濟穩定。
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