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.
Agricultural Security Considerations for the U.S. Corn Belt: Reviewing Key Threats and Mitigation Strategies for Bioresiliency
English Summary
This RAND report identifies agricultural security in the U.S. Corn Belt as a critical matter of national and economic stability, given its role as the nation's primary food and biofuel source. The region faces complex, interacting threats, including biological pathogens, extreme climate variability, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the risk of agroterrorism. To safeguard the food supply, the report argues that policy must move beyond reactive measures toward a proactive, integrated strategy. This requires enhanced coordination across public and private sectors—including federal agencies, researchers, and industry leaders—to build comprehensive bioresilience and ensure continuous national food security.
中文摘要
這份RAND報告指出，美國玉米帶的農業安全是國家和經濟穩定至關重要的議題，因為該地區是美國主要的糧食和生物燃料來源。該地區面臨複雜且相互作用的威脅，包括生物病原體、極端氣候變異、供應鏈脆弱性，以及農業恐怖主義的風險。為保障糧食供應，報告主張政策制定必須超越被動的應對措施，轉向主動、整合的策略。這要求公共和私人部門——包括聯邦機構、研究人員和產業領袖——進行更強化的協調，以建立全面的生物韌性，並確保持續的國家糧食安全。
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