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.
Trump’s Iran Negotiations: Less Art of the Deal, More Art of Concealing Defeat
English Summary
The article argues that President Trump's urgent desire for a quick resolution with Iran has severely compromised U.S. negotiating power, transforming strategic efforts into an 'art of concealing defeat.' This weakness allows Iran to demand terms that would enable it to monetize the Strait of Hormuz and solidify its regional dominance over Gulf allies. If these demands are accepted, the United States risks losing effective control of the Persian Gulf, potentially forcing a withdrawal from key allied nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Such an outcome would not only undermine U.S. commitments in the Middle East but also jeopardize broader international alliances across Asia and Europe.
中文摘要
本文論述，川普總統急於與伊朗達成快速和解的意願，已嚴重削弱了美國的談判籌碼，將戰略努力轉化為一種「掩蓋失敗的藝術」。這種軟弱性使得伊朗得以提出要求，從而使其能夠將霍爾木茲海峽商品化，並鞏固其對波斯灣盟友的區域主導地位。若接受這些要求，美國不僅可能失去對波斯灣的有效控制權，甚至可能被迫從沙特阿拉伯和阿聯酋等關鍵盟國撤退。此類結果不僅會動搖美國在中東的承諾，更將危及其在亞洲和歐洲範圍內更廣泛的國際聯盟。
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