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.
An update on Europe’s Russia sanctions
English Summary
Europe has emerged as a global leader in sanctioning Russia's 'shadow fleet,' significantly increasing its vessel designations and improving coordination with the UK and U.S. However, the analysis finds that these European sanctions alone have had only a limited impact on overall Russian oil exports from the Baltic Sea due to gaps in coverage. To maximize pressure on Russian revenue, the report argues that comprehensive action requires either the U.S. implementing broader secondary sanctions or Europe aggressively holding flag states accountable for oversight of flagged vessels. Collectively, these measures are necessary to significantly strengthen the enforcement of G7 price caps and constrain Russia's oil trade.
中文摘要
歐洲已成為全球在制裁俄羅斯「影子船隊」方面的領導者，顯著增加了對其船隻的指定數量，並改善了與英國和美國的協調合作。然而，本分析發現，僅憑這些歐洲制裁措施，由於覆蓋範圍存在漏洞，對整體從波羅的海出貨的俄羅斯石油出口影響有限。報告主張，若要最大化對俄羅斯收入的壓力，必須採取全面的行動：要求美國實施更廣泛的次級制裁，或要求歐洲積極追究船舶國籍國（flag states）對於旗下船隻監管責任。總體而言，這些措施對於顯著強化G7價格上限的執行力度並限制俄羅斯石油貿易至關重要。
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