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.
Iran Conflict Holds Lessons for U.S., Adversaries, INDOPACOM Commander Says
English Summary
Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo argues that the recent conflict with Iran, despite diverting assets, provides valuable lessons that will strengthen U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The conflict demonstrated the power of asymmetric warfare and low-cost munitions, a capability that adversaries like China are studying for potential use against Taiwan. To maintain regional stability and 'overmatch' China's expected military expansion, the U.S. must urgently increase defense spending, modernize its fleet, and encourage the rapid innovation and production of advanced, non-traditional weapons systems.
中文摘要
印太司令官塞繆爾·帕帕羅（Samuel Paparo）海軍上將指出，近期與伊朗的衝突，儘管分散了軍事資產，卻提供了寶貴的經驗，有助於強化美國在印太地區的威懾能力。此次衝突展示了非對稱作戰和低成本彈藥的威力，而這正是中國等敵對勢力正在研究，以備潛在用於對台的戰術。為維持區域穩定並實現『壓倒性優勢』以應對中國預期的軍事擴張，美國必須緊急增加國防開支、現代化艦隊，並鼓勵先進、非傳統武器系統的快速創新與生產。
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