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 Myth of Military Victory
English Summary
The article argues that the notion of achieving 'military victory' through decisive combat is a dangerous myth, as all modern conflicts conclude through negotiated settlements. Historically, the outcome of wars is determined not by the enemy's physical destruction, but by the bargaining leverage retained by both sides, which shapes the final terms of surrender. Policymakers must therefore shift their strategic focus: military force should be viewed as a tool to shape negotiations, not as a substitute for them. Failure to integrate robust diplomatic planning with military campaign design will continue to lead to protracted conflicts and unachievable political goals.
中文摘要
本文論述，以決定性戰鬥達成「軍事勝利」的觀念是一種危險的迷思，因為所有現代衝突最終皆透過協商解決方案收場。從歷史角度來看，戰爭的結果並非由敵方的實體摧毀所決定，而是由雙方保留的談判籌碼所塑造，進而決定最終的投降條款。因此，政策制定者必須轉變其戰略焦點：軍事力量應被視為塑造談判的工具，而非替代談判的手段。若未能將穩健的外交規劃與軍事行動設計相結合，將持續導致曠日費時的衝突和無法實現的政治目標。
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