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.
Why the U.S. Intervened to Prop Up Japan’s Yen
English Summary
The US coordinated a rare currency intervention with Japan to stabilize the yen after it hit a four-decade low. Analysis suggests this move is strategically motivated, as a weak yen pressures other Asian currencies, which undermines U.S. reindustrialization goals by encouraging capital flow into high-surplus Asia rather than America. While the intervention provides immediate stability, the article argues that sustained support requires fundamental policy changes within Japan, specifically higher interest rates from the Bank of Japan. This signals an increased US willingness to manage regional financial stability and influence global capital flows.
中文摘要
美國與日本協調進行了一次罕見的貨幣干預，以穩定日圓在觸及四十年低點後的匯率。分析指出，此舉具有戰略動機，因為疲軟的日圓會對其他亞洲貨幣造成壓力，從而阻礙美國重工業化目標的實現——其機制是鼓勵資本流向盈餘充沛的亞洲地區而非美國本土。雖然此次干預提供了即時穩定性，但本文認為，要維持持續的支持，必須要求日本進行根本性的政策轉變，特別是提高日本央行的利率。這表明了美國管理區域金融穩定並影響全球資本流動的意願正在增加。
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