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.
Conflicts Are Converging Around the Red Sea. U.S. Policy Remains Muddled.
English Summary
The Red Sea region is experiencing a severe convergence of interconnected conflicts, driven by internal disputes (e.g., Ethiopia's failure to implement peace agreements) and external geopolitical pressures. Escalations are intensifying across the Horn of Africa, involving multiple state and non-state actors forming opposing blocs. The primary concern is that the United States' mixed signals and contradictory policies—ranging from sanction adjustments to diplomatic support—are undermining regional stability and encouraging local actors to act without restraint. Consequently, the U.S. risks losing influence as the region spirals toward worsening catastrophe.
中文摘要
紅海地區正經歷一場嚴峻的、交織的衝突匯集，其驅動因素包括內部爭議（例如衣索比亞未能履行和平協議）和外部地緣政治壓力。在非洲之角，衝突升級正在加劇，涉及多個國家和非國家行為體形成對立的陣營。主要擔憂是，美國模稜兩可且充滿矛盾的政策——範圍從制裁調整到外交支持——正在削弱區域穩定性，並鼓勵地方行為體肆意行動。因此，隨著該地區螺旋式地走向惡化災難的局面，美國面臨失去影響力的風險。
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