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.
Report to Congress on U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities
English Summary
The report analyzes the evolving nature of U.S. extended deterrence, noting a policy shift away from the historical commitment of using U.S. nuclear weapons to protect allies. While past Nuclear Posture Reviews advocated strengthening this guarantee, the 2026 National Defense Strategy suggests allies must assume primary responsibility for their own defense with only limited U.S. support. This shift creates tension, raising Congressional concerns about the reliability of U.S. commitments and the potential for 'friendly proliferation' among allies. Policymakers must reconcile the strategic goal of limited U.S. involvement with the necessity of maintaining allied trust and stability.
中文摘要
本報告分析了美國延伸威懾的演變性質，指出政策正從歷史上承諾使用美國核武器保護盟友的立場轉移。過去的核戰備態審查報告曾主張加強此項保證，但2026年的《國家國防戰略》卻暗示盟國必須承擔自身防禦的主要責任，而美國僅提供有限度的支持。這一轉變造成了緊張局勢，引發了國會對美國承諾可靠性以及盟國之間可能出現「友邦擴散」的擔憂。政策制定者必須在追求有限美國參與的戰略目標與維持盟友信任及穩定性的必要性之間，找到平衡點。
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