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.
Iran’s Long Game
English Summary
The analysis argues that conventional metrics of conflict—such as military damage or losses—are insufficient for assessing Iran's true position. Instead, the critical measure is whether Tehran is successfully achieving its long-term strategic objectives. Despite suffering significant conventional blows from adversaries, the article posits that Iran is strategically succeeding due to careful preparation and planning. Policymakers must therefore shift focus from immediate military assessments to understanding Iran's enduring strategic resilience and geopolitical aims in the region.
中文摘要
本分析認為，傳統的衝突衡量標準，例如軍事損失或破壞程度，不足以評估伊朗的真實地位。關鍵指標應轉向評估德黑蘭是否成功實現其長期戰略目標。儘管遭受敵對方的重大傳統打擊，本文指出伊朗由於周密的準備和規劃，在戰略上仍取得了成功。因此，政策制定者必須將焦點從即時的軍事評估，轉移到理解伊朗持久的戰略韌性及其在該地區的地緣政治目標。
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