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.
Tensions between the US and Europe loom large over NATO summit
English Summary
Transatlantic tensions are acutely high ahead of the NATO summit due to perceived US disengagement and inconsistency, fueled by President Trump's skepticism regarding European defense spending. Key evidence includes US threats (e.g., against Greenland) and reports that Washington may delay critical military equipment orders, deepening European distrust in American commitment. Consequently, Europe is accelerating efforts toward building independent defense industrial capabilities, a strategic shift that could reduce reliance on the US but risks exacerbating future transatlantic friction and potentially undermining NATO's collective deterrence credibility.
中文摘要
在即將到來的北約峰會前，跨大西洋的緊張局勢極為高漲。這主要源於各方對美國可能出現脫離和不一致性的擔憂，而特朗普總統對於歐洲國防開支的懷疑態度加劇了這種不安。關鍵證據包括美國發出的威脅（例如針對格陵蘭島），以及有報導指出華盛頓可能會延遲下達重要的軍事設備訂單，這進一步深化了歐洲對美方承諾的不信任感。因此，歐洲正在加速建立獨立國防工業能力，這是一個戰略轉變。雖然此舉可以減少對美國的依賴，但它也可能加劇未來的跨大西洋摩擦，並潛在地削弱北約集體威懾的信譽。
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