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.
America Must Let Go of the Middle East
English Summary
The article argues that decades of U.S. military intervention in the Middle East have been disastrous, citing recent conflicts (like the war with Iran) as evidence of instability and violations of international law. The core reasoning is that maintaining a massive American footprint has not secured regional stability but has instead fueled conflict, damaged infrastructure, and incurred enormous costs. Policy recommendations include a full U.S. withdrawal of forces to allow for greater focus on great-power competition in Asia and Europe. Furthermore, the U.S. should replace military guarantees with increased diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian aid while suspending security assistance to partners that commit human rights abuses.
中文摘要
本文論述美國數十年來在中東地區的軍事干預是災難性的，並以近期衝突（例如與伊朗的戰爭）為例證，指出其導致了不穩定和違反國際法。核心論點認為，維持龐大的美軍駐地存在並未確保區域穩定，反而助長了衝突、損害了基礎設施，並造成了巨大的經濟成本。政策建議包括美國應完全撤出部隊，以便將精力更集中於亞洲和歐洲的大國競爭。此外，美國應以增加外交、經濟和人道援助來取代軍事保障，同時暫停向那些犯下人權侵犯行為的夥伴提供安全援助。
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