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.
America Has Lost Its Leverage Over China
English Summary
The article argues that China has significantly increased its leverage over the United States, constraining Washington's ability to set its own national security agenda. This shift is evidenced by the U.S. ceding authority over its own national security measures, such as export controls, in exchange for easing trade tensions following the 2025 trade war. Furthermore, China is successfully linking areas of cooperation and difference, forcing the U.S. to prioritize diplomatic optics over substantive policy goals. The implication is that Washington's decision-making is now constrained by Beijing, potentially emboldening China to test American resolve on vital interests like Taiwan and advanced technology.
中文摘要
本文論點指出，中國已顯著提升了對美國的影響力，限制了華盛頓制定自身國家安全議程的能力。這一轉變的證據是，在經歷了2025年貿易戰後，美國為了緩解貿易緊張局勢，讓渡了其在國家安全措施（例如出口管制）上的主導權。此外，中國成功地將合作與分歧的領域掛鉤，迫使美國將外交表象置於實質政策目標之上。其潛在的含義是，華盛頓的決策制定現已受北京的制約，這可能會鼓舞中國，使其在台灣和先進技術等核心利益上試探美國的決心。
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