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.
Military Human Spaceflight: A Key Component to U.S. Space Superiority
English Summary
The Mitchell Institute argues that military human spaceflight is critical for maintaining U.S. space superiority amid intense competition with China. The paper notes that China's consistent, military-led lunar and space ambitions pose a credible threat, contrasting sharply with the perceived policy and funding inconsistencies that have hampered U.S. space programs. To counter this disparity, the U.S. must develop a 'Guardian' spaceflight capability, utilizing LEO stations and commercial partnerships. This strategic shift is necessary to accelerate national defense requirements, preserve American leadership, and secure the space domain.
中文摘要
米切爾研究所（Mitchell Institute）認為，軍事化載人太空飛行對於美國在面對中國日益激烈的競爭時，維持其太空優勢至關重要。該報告指出，中國持續且由軍方主導的月球和太空雄心，構成了可信的威脅，這與美國太空計畫長期以來受困於政策和資金不一致性形成了鮮明對比。為應對這種差距，美國必須發展出「守護者」（Guardian）太空飛行能力，利用低軌道（LEO）站點和商業合作夥伴關係。這種戰略轉型對於加速國家防禦需求、維護美國領導地位和確保太空領域的控制權是必要的。
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