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.
Ukraine Can Turn Imminent Peril to Its Advantage
English Summary
Ukraine can mitigate its current peril by strategically initiating a limited, reciprocal cease-fire to contain the war, rather than solely focusing on defense. This strategy requires Western partners to enable Ukraine to apply targeted pressure by allowing strikes on critical Russian military assets, thereby forcing Moscow to accept a pause in its destructive air campaign. Policy implications mandate that the U.S. and Europe combine this military enablement—such as facilitating access to advanced weaponry and intelligence—with focused diplomacy to secure an energy cease-fire. Furthermore, immediate and sustained Western support is crucial to shore up Ukraine's air defenses and economy before the coming winter.
中文摘要
烏克蘭應採取策略性行動，主動發起有限且對等的停火，以遏制戰局，而非僅專注於防禦。此戰略要求西方夥伴賦能烏克蘭，使其能夠對俄羅斯關鍵軍事資產實施目標性壓力，從而迫使莫斯科接受暫停其破壞性空襲行動。政策層面要求美國和歐洲必須將軍事賦能（例如協助取得先進武器和情報）與重點外交結合，以確保能源停火。此外，為應對即將到來的冬季，西方必須提供即時且持續的支持，以穩固烏克蘭的防空系統和經濟。
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