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.
When a Cease-Fire Is Really a Stalemate
English Summary
The recent cease-fire between Iran and the US represents a strategic stalemate, not a conclusive victory for either side. Tehran gained significant leverage by demonstrating its resilience and successfully using control of the Strait of Hormuz to create global energy shortages, forcing Washington to abandon its maximalist goals. The article argues that the U.S. must therefore shift away from planning for outright defeat and instead adopt a strategy of peaceful containment. This requires leveraging regional partners, particularly Gulf monarchies, through security assistance and targeted economic pressure, rather than attempting costly military conflict.
中文摘要
伊朗與美國近期達成停火協議，代表的是一種戰略僵局（strategic stalemate），而非任何一方的決定性勝利。德黑蘭透過展示其韌性，並成功利用控制霍爾木茲海峽來製造全球能源短缺，從而迫使華盛頓放棄其極端目標（maximalist goals）。本文主張，美國因此必須轉型策略，擺脫規劃全面敗局的心態，改採和平遏制（peaceful containment）的戰略。這要求美國應透過安全援助和有針對性的經濟壓力來利用區域夥伴，特別是海灣君主國，而非試圖進行成本高昂的軍事衝突。
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