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.
Shifting US perspectives on Africa: A conversation with Rep. Sara Jacobs
English Summary
The Brookings discussion argues that U.S. engagement with Africa must pivot from a geopolitical competition model to one of genuine partnership and self-determination. Key recommendations include shifting from traditional aid to a trade-based model, thereby treating African nations as partners rather than recipients. Strategically, the U.S. should reform security assistance by adopting a tiered 'compacts approach,' linking support to improving local governance and preventing state-sponsored violence. These shifts imply that U.S. policy must focus on building long-term, sustainable capacity and reforming multilateral institutions, such as advocating for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.
中文摘要
布魯金斯智庫的討論指出，美國對非洲的參與必須從地緣政治競爭模式，轉向建立真正的夥伴關係與支持自決權。主要建議包括：將傳統援助轉型為貿易導向的模式，從而將非洲國家視為平等的夥伴而非單純的接受者。在戰略層面，美國應改革安全援助，採用分級的「合作協議模式」（compacts approach），將援助與提升當地治理和預防國家支持的暴力行為掛鉤。這些轉變暗示，美國政策必須著重於建立長期、可持續的能力建設，並改革多邊機構，例如倡議在聯合國安全理事會為非洲爭取永久席位。
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