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 Hidden Path to Regime Change in Iran
English Summary
The analysis argues that external military strikes or crippling sanctions are ineffective for achieving regime change in Iran, citing the recent conflict as evidence that such actions strengthen hardline leadership and nationalistic support. Instead, democratization is most likely to occur following a diplomatic settlement that removes economic misery and stabilizes the international environment. The report suggests focusing on internal conditions—such as socioeconomic development and civil society—and advocating for post-conflict strategies that allow democratic forces to grow without relying on military pressure. Therefore, policy efforts should prioritize de-escalation and building pathways for institutional reform rather than continued confrontation.
中文摘要
本分析指出，外部軍事打擊或嚴厲制裁無法實現伊朗的政權變革。援引近期衝突作為證據，此類行動反而鞏固了強硬派領導層和民族主義支持。相反地，民主化最有可能發生在達成外交和解、消除經濟困境並穩定國際環境之後。報告建議應著重於內部條件——例如社會經濟發展與公民社會——並倡導衝突後策略，讓民主力量得以成長而不依賴軍事壓力。因此，政策努力應優先考慮降級升溫（de-escalation）和建立制度改革的途徑，而非持續的對抗。
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