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 China Price
English Summary
China is strategically accelerating the internationalization of the Renminbi (RMB) to build a 'financial second-strike capability,' thereby mitigating the risk of US dollar weaponization through sanctions. This effort is evidenced by the expansion of payment networks like CIPS and the directive for state-owned enterprises to prioritize RMB for international trade contracts, creating foundational demand. While Beijing does not seek to replace the dollar, this growing financial alternative forces global powers to acknowledge the permanent risk of financial fragmentation. Policymakers must factor the development of non-dollar payment channels and alternative financial infrastructure into geopolitical risk assessments and trade policy.
中文摘要
中國正戰略加速人民幣（RMB）的國際化進程，旨在建立「金融第二擊能力」，從而減輕美元透過制裁進行武器化的風險。這一努力體現在支付網絡如跨境支付系統（CIPS）的擴張，以及要求國有企業在國際貿易合同中優先使用人民幣，從而創造了基礎性需求。儘管北京並非尋求取代美元，但這種日益增長的金融替代方案迫使全球大國必須正視金融碎片化的永久性風險。政策制定者必須將非美元支付渠道和替代性金融基礎設施的發展，納入地緣政治風險評估和貿易政策的考量之中。
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