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 to Survive in a Hostile World: Power, Politics, and the Case for Realism
English Summary
The core argument of this piece is that international relations are inherently anarchic and dangerous, making power the ultimate currency for state survival. Realism posits that because global cooperation is unreliable, states must prioritize the pursuit of national interests above idealistic moral considerations. Key reasoning emphasizes that stability is best achieved not through universal ideals, but through the pragmatic, artful management of state power and self-interest. Policymakers should therefore adopt a realist framework, focusing on robust statecraft and power projection to navigate a volatile world where trust is scarce.
中文摘要
本文的核心論點是，國際關係本質上是無政府且充滿危險的，這使得權力成為國家生存的終極貨幣。現實主義主張，由於全球合作不可靠，國家必須將追求國家利益置於理想化的道德考量之上。其關鍵論證強調，穩定並非透過普世理想來實現，而是透過對國家權力和自身利益的務實且高明管理。因此，政策制定者應採納現實主義框架，專注於穩健的國家治理和權力投射，以應對一個信任稀缺、變動不居的世界。
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