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.
CFR 2026 Annual Report: President’s Message
English Summary
The CFR asserts that its continued role as a nonpartisan, independent institution is vital for guiding U.S. policy through global disruption. It demonstrates its relevance by launching initiatives like the Future of American Strategy and convening bipartisan experts, with a specialized focus on the nexus between technology and national security. Key evidence includes the Task Force on U.S. Economic Security, which provided actionable recommendations on AI, quantum, and biotech for supply chain resilience and export controls. Strategically, the report implies that future U.S. policy must prioritize integrating advanced technology and economic statecraft into core national security frameworks to maintain global leadership.
中文摘要
美國外交關係協會（CFR）主張，其作為一個非黨派、獨立的機構，對於引導美國應對全球動盪的政策至關重要。該協會透過發起「美國戰略未來」（Future of American Strategy）等倡議，並召集兩黨專家，展現其相關性，特別專注於科技與國家安全之間的交集。關鍵證據包括「美國經濟安全工作組」的報告，該報告就人工智慧（AI）、量子技術和生物科技等領域，為供應鏈韌性與出口管制提供了可操作的建議。從戰略角度來看，該報告暗示未來美國政策必須將先進技術和經濟國力（economic statecraft）整合到核心國家安全框架中，才能維持全球領導地位。
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