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.
USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: June 19, 2026
English Summary
Military activity across the Western Pacific remains at a high tempo, characterized by numerous multinational joint exercises involving key regional allies such as the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. These drills—including RIMPAC and Kamandag 10—are designed to enhance interoperability and combined arms integration among partners in the region. The simultaneous deployments of major forces (e.g., US/Japan in Guam; PLAN movements) underscore a collective commitment by allies to maintain regional stability. Policymakers should note that this increased operational pace solidifies allied defense structures while simultaneously intensifying geopolitical competition with China.
中文摘要
西太平洋的軍事活動仍維持高強度節奏，其特點是涉及美國、日本、澳洲和菲律賓等主要區域盟國的大量多國聯合演習。這些演練——包括RIMPAC和Kamandag 10等——旨在提升區域夥伴之間的互操作性與結合作戰能力。各方力量的同步部署（例如美日於關島；中國人民解放軍的動態）凸顯了盟國維護區域穩定的共同承諾。政策制定者應注意，這種營運節奏的增加，一方面鞏固了盟國的防禦結構，但同時也加劇了與中國的地緣政治競爭。
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