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.
Can the UN close the global AI gap?
English Summary
The article argues that while the UN cannot close the global AI gap against US/China technological dominance, it can mitigate risks through a 'Dialogue of Dialogues' approach. This strategy addresses the current fragmentation of AI governance by promoting technical interoperability, shared safety baselines, and common standards among middle powers and developing nations. Key evidence suggests that forming coalitions—such as compute or regulatory groups—can reduce dependence on superpowers and prevent countries from being locked into incompatible technological regimes. Policymakers should leverage this multilateral framework to establish 'minimum viable interoperability,' ensuring AI governance is inclusive and promotes universal, safe progress.
中文摘要
本文指出,儘管聯合國無法彌合全球人工智能(AI)在面對美國/中國技術主導地位時的差距,但它仍能透過「對話之對話」(Dialogue of Dialogues)的方法來減緩風險。此策略旨在應對當前AI治理的分裂化趨勢,主張在中等國家和發展中國家之間推動技術互通性、共享的安全基線以及共同標準。關鍵證據顯示,組建聯盟——例如計算能力或監管群體——可以降低對超級大國的依賴,並防止各國被鎖定在不相容的技術體制中。政策制定者應利用此多邊框架來建立「最低可行互通性」(minimum viable interoperability),確保AI治理具備包容性,並促進普遍且安全的進展。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
The article argues that Donald Trump's unique and prolonged lame-duck period, coupled with domestic political pressures, makes him dangerously prone to international instability. Having exhausted major diplomatic gambits, Trump is expected to channel his energy into high-stakes, unilateral actions, primarily targeting adversaries such as Iran and Cuba. These potential actions—ranging from fresh strikes in the Persian Gulf to attempts at regime change—carry a significant risk of destabilizing regional security and triggering a global economic crisis. Policymakers must anticipate this pivot to high-risk foreign policy to mitigate potential international flare-ups.
-
3.
China's economic strategy is characterized by a persistent 'economics of denial,' prioritizing massive state-directed investment in advanced technology over addressing weak domestic consumption. This approach is rooted in a flawed belief that controlling physical capital will automatically generate productivity and wage growth, ignoring the structural imbalance where domestic demand consistently falls short of supply. This overinvestment and underconsumption model is unsustainable. Consequently, Beijing's policies will continue to generate global deflationary pressures and escalating trade friction, necessitating a fundamental pivot toward consumption-led growth for long-term stability.
-
4.
The Blue Wave signals significant voter frustration with cost of living and inflation, giving Congress a mandate to prioritize affordability and cost-reduction measures. Economically, the rapid build-out of AI data centers is creating localized stress, driving up skilled labor wages and straining resources, while also facing constraints from power grids and potential local regulatory backlash. Policymakers must manage this 'sequencing issue'—addressing rising costs before full productivity gains from AI can materialize—and anticipate shifts in global data center infrastructure as the market matures.
-
5.
The built environment workforce, comprising 15.3 million workers across 95 occupations, is foundational to modern infrastructure and economic stability. While highly paid, the workforce suffers from significant demographic imbalances, being disproportionately white and male, and often lacking clear career progression pathways. To prevent project delays and cost overruns, policy must mandate that capital asset owners treat labor market forecasting as core to project planning. Strategic interventions are required to strengthen career pipelines through robust apprenticeships, improve retention, and actively recruit younger and more diverse workers.