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.
China Airpower Tracker
English Summary
The Mitchell Institute's China Airpower Tracker highlights the rapid transformation of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) from a regional defensive service into a sophisticated force capable of projecting power beyond the First Island Chain. By integrating advanced aircraft, uncrewed systems, and mobile long-range surface-to-air missiles across five theater commands, China has significantly enhanced its aerial combat and denial capabilities. This tool provides a visualization of PLAAF airbases and SAM sites, emphasizing the strategic importance of China's road-mobile assets and their implications for survivability and power projection in a potential conflict.
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