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.
USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: July 31, 2026
English Summary
The Western Pacific remains a highly volatile theater marked by escalating great power competition alongside routine alliance maintenance. Key evidence includes China's assertive naval patrols near disputed features like Scarborough Shoal, coupled with joint military exercises involving Russia (e.g., Vladivostok and Miyako Strait). In response, the U.S. maintained a robust presence through major drills (RIMPAC) and advanced deployments (Guam SSN-783), while allies conducted multilateral exercises (Australia/Malaysia). The consistent pattern of Chinese and Russian military movements—often observed by Japanese forces in international waters—underscores heightened strategic tension in the maritime domain. Policymakers must therefore prioritize strengthening regional interoperability and deepening alliances to effectively counter assertive actions and safeguard freedom of navigation.
中文摘要
西太平洋仍是一個高度不穩定的戰區，其特點是地緣大國競爭的升級與常規盟友維護活動並存。關鍵證據包括中國在爭議性島礁（如 Scarborough Shoal）附近進行主張性的海軍巡邏，以及俄羅斯參與的聯合軍事演習（例如在釜山和宮古海峽）。作為回應，美國透過大型演習（RIMPAC）和先進部署（關島 SSN-783），維持了穩固的存在；同時盟國也進行了多邊演練（澳洲/馬來西亞）。 中國與俄羅斯軍事行動的持續模式——這些行動經常被日本在國際水域觀察到——突顯了該海域日益加劇的戰略緊張局勢。因此，政策制定者必須將提升區域互操作性、深化聯盟合作置於優先地位，以有效應對主張性的行為並維護航行自由。
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