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: Letter From the Chair
English Summary
The CFR Annual Report emphasizes the Council's commitment to analyzing the enduring and complex evolution of U.S. foreign policy, leveraging the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as a central theme. The Council is deepening its intellectual engagement by hosting major symposia and multiyear projects that examine the forces reshaping American power and the development of the post-WWII international order. Furthermore, the report signals strong institutional stability, citing robust financial health and expanding membership to support its research. These efforts position the CFR as a critical, independent forum for rigorous debate on the future of American global strategy and international engagement.
中文摘要
戰略與國際事務理事會（CFR）年度報告強調，理事會致力於分析美國外交政策持續且複雜的演變，並以美國獨立宣言兩百五十週年為核心主題。理事會正透過舉辦大型研討會和多年期專案，加深其學術參與，深入探討重塑美國力量的各股力量，以及二戰後國際秩序的發展。此外，報告亦顯示出穩健的機構穩定性，指出其財務狀況穩健且會員正在擴增，以支持其研究工作。這些努力將CFR定位為一個關鍵的、獨立的論壇，用以對美國全球戰略和國際參與的未來進行嚴謹的辯論。
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