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.
Global Experts Reflect on the Legacy of the War on Terrorism
English Summary
Experts argue that the initial, hard-security focus of the War on Terror has been largely ineffective and often counterproductive, failing to address the root causes of violent extremism. The threat has evolved from monolithic groups to decentralized, agile networks that utilize digital platforms and exploit local grievances. Therefore, effective counter-terrorism requires a strategic shift away from heavy military intervention toward holistic methods that prioritize good governance, local partnerships, and addressing socioeconomic root causes. Policy must also emphasize multilateral diplomacy to establish a legally binding definition of terrorism and prevent the use of security measures to undermine fundamental freedoms.
中文摘要
專家指出，反恐戰爭初期過度側重硬性安全措施的策略，在很大程度上是無效且適得其反的，未能觸及暴力極端主義的根本原因。威脅的性質已從單一的龐大組織，演變為利用數位平台並利用地方不滿情緒的去中心化、敏捷網絡。因此，有效的反恐戰略需要從重度軍事干預轉向更全面的方法，著重於良好治理、地方合作夥伴關係，以及解決社會經濟層面的根本問題。政策制定也必須強調多邊外交，以建立一個具有法律約束力的恐怖主義定義，並防止將安全措施用於侵蝕基本自由。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
The article argues that Donald Trump's unique and prolonged lame-duck period, coupled with domestic political pressures, makes him dangerously prone to international instability. Having exhausted major diplomatic gambits, Trump is expected to channel his energy into high-stakes, unilateral actions, primarily targeting adversaries such as Iran and Cuba. These potential actions—ranging from fresh strikes in the Persian Gulf to attempts at regime change—carry a significant risk of destabilizing regional security and triggering a global economic crisis. Policymakers must anticipate this pivot to high-risk foreign policy to mitigate potential international flare-ups.
-
3.
China's economic strategy is characterized by a persistent 'economics of denial,' prioritizing massive state-directed investment in advanced technology over addressing weak domestic consumption. This approach is rooted in a flawed belief that controlling physical capital will automatically generate productivity and wage growth, ignoring the structural imbalance where domestic demand consistently falls short of supply. This overinvestment and underconsumption model is unsustainable. Consequently, Beijing's policies will continue to generate global deflationary pressures and escalating trade friction, necessitating a fundamental pivot toward consumption-led growth for long-term stability.
-
4.
The Blue Wave signals significant voter frustration with cost of living and inflation, giving Congress a mandate to prioritize affordability and cost-reduction measures. Economically, the rapid build-out of AI data centers is creating localized stress, driving up skilled labor wages and straining resources, while also facing constraints from power grids and potential local regulatory backlash. Policymakers must manage this 'sequencing issue'—addressing rising costs before full productivity gains from AI can materialize—and anticipate shifts in global data center infrastructure as the market matures.
-
5.
The built environment workforce, comprising 15.3 million workers across 95 occupations, is foundational to modern infrastructure and economic stability. While highly paid, the workforce suffers from significant demographic imbalances, being disproportionately white and male, and often lacking clear career progression pathways. To prevent project delays and cost overruns, policy must mandate that capital asset owners treat labor market forecasting as core to project planning. Strategic interventions are required to strengthen career pipelines through robust apprenticeships, improve retention, and actively recruit younger and more diverse workers.