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.
Is the Iran War Coming to an End?
English Summary
While a cease-fire agreement between Washington and Tehran may temporarily halt fighting, analysts argue this marks not an end to conflict, but a shift toward a 'New Grand Strategy' for Iran. This strategy emphasizes leveraging regional assets, particularly control over the Strait of Hormuz, as its primary source of economic and strategic power. For policymakers, the key takeaway is that future negotiations—including those on nuclear issues—will hinge entirely on U.S. credibility and willingness to provide meaningful concessions. Therefore, policy must pivot from military containment to managing Iran's deep-seated economic leverage and anticipating how it will use its regional choke points as tools of deterrence.
中文摘要
分析人士指出，華盛頓與德黑蘭之間達成停火協議或許能暫時中止衝突，但這並非戰爭的終結，而標誌著伊朗轉向一種「新大戰略」。該戰略強調利用區域資產，特別是控制霍爾木茲海峽，作為其經濟和戰略力量的主要來源。對於政策制定者而言，關鍵啟示是：未來包括核議題在內的談判，將完全取決於美國的信譽度以及提供實質讓步的意願。因此，政策必須從軍事遏制轉向管理伊朗根深蒂固的經濟槓桿，並預測其如何利用區域要衝作為威懾工具。
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