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.
Children in foster care need more than just a child care slot
English Summary
The Brookings Institution argues that for children in foster care, the true value of Head Start lies not merely in providing childcare slots, but in its comprehensive integration of education, health, and family support services. While participation rates are low, proposed federal reforms aimed at cost reduction threaten the program's core strengths by weakening protections against suspension and removing requirements for service coordination. These changes risk undermining the stability and holistic support necessary for trauma-exposed children. Policymakers must therefore balance the goal of increased access with the critical need to maintain strong quality standards, service continuity, and protective measures to ensure children receive sustained, comprehensive care.
中文摘要
布魯金斯學會（Brookings Institution）主張，對於接受寄養的兒童而言，Head Start的真正價值並非僅在於提供托兒時段，而在於其教育、健康和家庭支持服務的綜合性整合。儘管參與率偏低，但提議的聯邦改革旨在削減成本，卻透過削弱停課保護和取消服務協調要求，威脅到該計畫的核心優勢。這些變動有危及創傷暴露兒童所需的穩定性和整體支持的風險。因此，政策制定者必須在提升可及性的目標與維持高標準、服務連續性及保護措施的關鍵需求之間取得平衡，以確保兒童能夠獲得持續且全面的照護。
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