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.
Lebanon in the Shadow of the U.S.-Iran MOU: Risks and Opportunities
English Summary
The article argues that while recent conflict has devastated Lebanon, the current U.S.-Iran diplomatic window offers a rare opportunity to restore sovereignty and stability. Achieving this requires external powers to push for two core elements: securing a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to assume full security control. Strategically, any resolution must mandate the removal of foreign military influence (IRGC/Hezbollah's non-state role) alongside state authority. For Lebanon to capitalize on this opening, it must proactively pursue domestic reforms—including economic recovery and expanding state control—while engaging in political dialogue with all armed groups.
中文摘要
本文論述，儘管近期衝突已嚴重摧毀黎巴嫩，但當前的美伊外交窗口提供了一個罕有的恢復主權與穩定的契機。要實現這一目標，外部大國必須推動兩項核心要素：確保以色列從佔領地逐步撤軍，並賦予黎巴嫩軍隊（LAF）全面安全控制的能力。從戰略角度來看，任何解決方案都必須要求移除外來軍事影響力（如伊朗革命衛隊/真主黨的非國家角色），同時重建國家權威。為使黎巴嫩抓住此機，其必須積極推動國內改革——包括經濟復甦和擴大國家控制力——並與所有武裝團體進行政治對話。
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