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.
How China Misperceives Itself
English Summary
This Foreign Affairs article argues that China’s misperception of its own challenges – particularly framing them as technical or externally imposed rather than systemic – is a critical factor hindering its ability to adapt and address deep-seated issues. Evidence suggests this stems from a strategic downplaying of political and institutional weaknesses, including the concentration of power and ideological rigidity. Recognizing this misperception is crucial for policymakers, particularly in the US and Europe, as it informs strategies for managing long-term competition and calibrating deterrence. Recent policy shifts, such as acknowledging the real estate downturn and addressing demographic challenges, demonstrate a growing awareness of these vulnerabilities, though reforms remain cautious.
中文摘要
這篇《外交事務》的文章論述，中國對自身挑戰的誤解——尤其是在將其描繪成技術性或由外部勢力 imposed 的問題，而非系統性問題——是阻礙其適應和解決深層結構性問題的一個關鍵因素。證據表明，這源於對政治和制度性弱點的戰略性淡化，包括權力集中和意識形態的僵化。對於政策制定者，特別是在美國和歐洲，認識到這種誤解至關重要，因為它有助於制定管理長期競爭和校準威懾戰略的策略。最近的政策調整，例如承認房地產下行趨勢並應對人口結構性挑戰，表明對這些脆弱性的認識正在日益增長，儘管改革仍然謹慎。
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