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.
Force Multipliers in the Americas: Harnessing Security Force Assistance to Bolster Homeland Defense and U.S. Strategic Objectives in Latin America
English Summary
This RAND report, published in 2026, argues that the U.S. Department of War can effectively leverage security force assistance (SFA) activities in Latin America to bolster homeland defense, counter transnational threats, and advance U.S. strategic influence. The report highlights the increasing convergence of threats from state adversaries and non-state actors, emphasizing the need for innovative SFA approaches, particularly utilizing the Army Security Cooperation Group—South and National Guard State Partnership Programs. Ultimately, the report suggests that targeted SFA can be a cost-effective tool for addressing regional challenges and countering Chinese influence.
中文摘要
本RAND公司報告，於2026年發布，論述美國戰爭部能夠有效利用在拉丁美洲的安全部隊援助（SFA）活動，以強化本土防禦、對抗跨國威脅，並促進美國的戰略影響力。報告強調來自國家競爭者和非國家行為者的威脅日益趨向融合，突顯了創新SFA方法的需求，尤其是在運用陸軍安全合作團（Army Security Cooperation Group）以及國民警衛隊州際夥伴關係計畫（National Guard State Partnership Programs）。總體而言，本報告建議，針對性的SFA可以成為一種經濟效益良好的工具，用以應對區域挑戰並對抗中國的影響。
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