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.
An Economic Shield of the Americas: How Washington Can Counter China and Build a More Prosperous Hemisphere
English Summary
The article argues that the U.S. must implement an 'Economic Shield of the Americas' to counter China's expanding influence and prevent the Western Hemisphere from becoming economically dependent on Beijing. China has successfully filled the vacuum left by the U.S., establishing itself as the region's primary creditor and embedding itself in critical infrastructure, ports, and mineral supply chains. To counter this, Washington should forge an integrated regional economy by offering U.S. resources to like-minded partners who commit to reform. This strategy must focus on four priority sectors—Energy, Supply Chains, Agriculture, and Technology—to transform the region into a self-sustaining economic hub and secure U.S. prosperity and security.
中文摘要
本文論述美國必須實施「美洲經濟盾牌」，以應對中國擴張的影響力，並防止西半球經濟上過度依賴北京。中國已成功填補了美國留下的真空，確立自身為該地區的主要債權國，並將自身嵌入關鍵基礎設施、港口和礦產供應鏈。為應對此趨勢，華盛頓應透過向致力於改革的志同道合的夥伴提供美國資源，來打造一個整合性的區域經濟。此戰略必須聚焦於能源、供應鏈、農業和技術這四大優先領域，旨在將該地區轉型為一個自給自足的經濟中心，從而確保美國的繁榮與安全。
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.