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.
How Democrats’ Win Could Affect U.S. Foreign Policy
English Summary
Democratic control of Congress is expected to empower oversight and spending committees, allowing them to challenge the administration's foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding the Iran war and foreign aid spending. Key mechanisms include demanding accountability through hearings and restricting appropriations, with a strong focus on linking foreign policy failures to domestic affordability concerns. However, the lack of a veto-proof majority significantly constrains their ability to reverse major policies, such as tariff regimes or fundamentally altering commitments to European allies. Overall, the period suggests a highly contentious period of governance where Congressional power will be used to constrain the executive, but major strategic shifts will remain difficult.
中文摘要
預計國會的民主控制將賦予監督和支出委員會更大的權力，使其能夠挑戰行政部門的外交政策決策，特別是在伊朗戰事和外援支出方面。關鍵機制包括透過舉行聽證會要求問責，以及限制撥款，重點在於將外交政策的失誤與國內可負擔性問題掛鉤。然而，缺乏「否決權多數」（veto-proof majority）極大地限制了他們推翻重大政策的能力，例如關稅制度或根本改變對歐洲盟友的承諾。總體而言，該時期預示著一個高度爭議的治理期，國會權力將被用於制約行政部門，但任何重大的戰略轉變仍將難以實現。
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