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.
How Asia Learned to Live With “America First”
English Summary
The article argues that Asian allies are far more pragmatic and less pessimistic about U.S. 'America First' policies than their Western European counterparts. This willingness to accept transactional deals stems from a unique, existential threat posed by China, which makes American security guarantees indispensable for regional stability. Unlike Europe, which feels insulated and prioritizes welfare over defense spending, Asian nations view the U.S. as the only credible check against Chinese dominance. Strategically, this pragmatic alignment suggests that Asia is better positioned to leverage great power competition than Europe, making its alliances more resilient in a rapidly changing geopolitical order.
中文摘要
本文論述亞洲盟友對於美國「美國優先」政策展現出比西方歐洲同儕更務實、更不悲觀的態度。這種接受交易性安排的意願，源於中國所構成的獨特且生存性的威脅，使得美國的安全保障對區域穩定至關重要。與感覺自身有保護傘並將福利置於國防開支之上的歐洲不同，亞洲國家視美方為制衡中國霸權的唯一可靠力量。從戰略角度來看，這種務實的結盟傾向表明，亞洲比歐洲更有能力利用大國競爭的機遇，使其聯盟在快速變化的地緣政治秩序中更具韌性。
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