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.
Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play
English Summary
The state visit signaled a desire for 'strategic stability' and economic cooperation, evidenced by China's agreement to purchase major U.S. goods. However, the summit highlighted deep geopolitical divergences, particularly regarding Taiwan and the Middle East (Iran). Beijing appears to be using economic engagement to buy time and forestall tariffs, while the U.S. is leveraging the relationship to manage the Iran conflict. Policymakers must anticipate continued strategic competition, as both nations will use upcoming multilateral forums, such as the G20, to manage their conflicting priorities and maintain influence.
中文摘要
此次國事訪問表明雙方渴望實現「戰略穩定」和經濟合作，體現在中國同意購買美國主要商品上。然而，此次峰會也凸顯了深刻的地緣政治分歧，特別是在台灣和中東（伊朗）問題上。北京似乎正利用經濟參與來爭取時間並避免關稅，而美國則正利用雙邊關係來管理伊朗危機。政策制定者必須預期持續的戰略競爭，因為兩國都將利用即將到來的多邊論壇，例如二十國集團（G20），來管理各自的衝突優先事項並維持各自的影響力。
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