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.
Why Escalation Favors Iran
English Summary
The article argues that military escalation against Iran, even when targeting key leadership figures, is strategically counterproductive and may ultimately favor Tehran. Evidence from the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes during Operation Epic Fury demonstrates that the regime's resilience and operational capacity are high, as evidenced by the immediate launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles. This suggests that attempts at 'decapitation' strikes fail to limit the scope of conflict. Policymakers should therefore view direct military confrontation as highly risky, necessitating a shift toward alternative, non-escalatory strategies.
中文摘要
本文論述，即使是針對伊朗關鍵領導人物的軍事升級行動，在戰略上也是徒勞無功的，甚至可能最終使德黑蘭受益。來自「史詩怒火行動」（Operation Epic Fury）初期美以打擊的證據顯示，該政權的韌性與作戰能力極高，例如其立即發射數百枚彈道飛彈。這表明「斬首行動」無法限制衝突的範圍。因此，政策制定者應將直接軍事對抗視為極高風險，有必要轉向替代性的、非升級的策略。
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