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.
Denmark’s Greenland deal with Trump is a victory for diplomacy over bullying
English Summary
Denmark successfully navigated coercive US diplomatic pressure regarding Greenland by employing a masterclass in classical diplomacy. By leveraging its soft power and emphasizing the principle of self-determination, Denmark and its allies countered US demands for sovereignty, which threatened international law. The resulting agreement secured permanent US military access while explicitly reaffirming Danish sovereignty and Greenland's right to self-determination. This case provides a valuable strategic model for smaller nations: using multilateral cooperation and international law to defend national interests against great power bullying.
中文摘要
丹麥透過一次典範級的古典外交操作，成功應對了美國針對格陵蘭的強迫性外交壓力。丹麥及其盟友運用其軟實力，並強調自決原則，成功抵制了美國要求主權的壓力，而此要求已威脅到國際法。最終達成的協議確保了美國永久的軍事進駐權，同時明確重申了丹麥的主權以及格陵蘭的自決權。此案例為較小的國家提供了一個寶貴的戰略模式：即利用多邊合作和國際法來捍衛國家利益，以對抗大國的霸凌行為。
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