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.
Melting ice and power shifts: Europe and Canada should seize their Arctic moment
English Summary
The melting Arctic presents a critical geopolitical opportunity that requires European nations and Canada to seize leadership, especially given shifts in US policy and rising activity from China and Russia. The increasing presence of rival powers—evidenced by Chinese use of the Northern Sea Route and Russian tanker movements—underscores the urgent need for allied coordination to secure data and strategic control. To counter these rivals, allies must prioritize three actions: enhancing shared domain awareness assets (e.g., satellite constellations); establishing joint research consortia; and developing a unified policy position to normalize global interests in the region. This coordinated effort is essential for maintaining security and economic stability as previously unnavigable areas open up.
中文摘要
正在融化的北極地區呈現了一個關鍵的地緣政治機遇，這要求歐洲國家和加拿大必須掌握主導權，特別是考量到美國政策的轉變以及中國和俄羅斯日益活躍的行為。競爭勢力（例如中國利用北方海航道和俄羅斯的油輪移動）的存在加劇了這一趨勢，突顯了盟國亟需協調行動以確保數據和戰略控制權。為應對這些競爭對手，盟國必須優先採取三項措施：增強共享領域感知資產（例如衛星星座）；建立聯合研究聯盟；以及制定統一的政策立場，使全球各方將該地區視為常規的共同利益區域。這種協調努力對於維持安全和經濟穩定至關重要，尤其是在以往無法航行的區域逐漸開放的情況下。
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