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.
Let's Talk About Europe
English Summary
The article argues that Europe must significantly enhance its defense autonomy and reduce its over-reliance on the United States for security. While acknowledging Russia remains a threat, Europe is deemed capable of deterring revisionist aims without triggering a full security spiral. Policy-wise, Europe must negotiate a stable continental system—potentially involving buffer or neutral states—to manage the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Furthermore, strengthening European defense capabilities is presented as a mutual benefit, easing defense spending pressures on the US amid its own fiscal challenges.
中文摘要
本文論述歐洲必須大幅提升其國防自主性，並減少對美國安全保障的過度依賴。儘管承認俄羅斯仍構成威脅，但文章認為歐洲有能力在不引發全面安全螺旋的情況下，威懾修正主義的企圖。在政策層面，歐洲必須協商建立一個穩定的大陸體系——這可能涉及緩衝國或中立國——以管理烏克蘭與俄羅斯之間的衝突。此外，提升歐洲的國防能力被視為雙方互利的舉措，這不僅能緩解美國在自身財政困境下的國防開支壓力。
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