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.
The New Forever Wars
English Summary
The article argues that while the U.S. increasingly supports allies' wars through arms and aid, this strategy often fails because American influence erodes rapidly once a conflict begins. Evidence from recent conflicts shows Washington struggles to enforce clear objectives or demand behavioral changes due to domestic political pressure for unconditional support. To avoid being trapped in 'forever wars,' the U.S. must adopt a proactive strategy: defining precise war aims, securing partner commitment to those goals, and establishing strict conditions for aid provision. Failing this, continued distant support risks deepening regional instability without achieving strategic control.
中文摘要
本文論述，儘管美國透過軍備和援助日益支持盟友的戰爭行動，但此一策略往往行不通，因為一旦衝突爆發，美國的影響力便會迅速消退。近期衝突的證據顯示，由於國內政治壓力要求無條件的支持，華盛頓難以執行明確的目標或要求行為改變。為避免陷入「永恆戰場」，美國必須採取積極主動的策略：定義精確的戰爭目標、確保夥伴對這些目標承諾，並為援助提供嚴格的條件。若無法做到這一點，持續的遠程支持將有加劇區域不穩定性的風險，卻無法達成戰略控制。
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