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.
Japan Budget Requests Record $55.6 B for Unmanned, Long Range Strike Capabilities
English Summary
Japan's Ministry of Defense has requested a record $55.6 billion budget to fundamentally transform its military capabilities, citing increased security threats from China and Russia in the Pacific. The strategy focuses on adapting to 'new ways of warfare' by prioritizing AI integration, unmanned systems, and long-range stand-off strike weapons. Key investments include enhancing Pacific Sea Lane Defense, acquiring advanced air defense (Patriot PAC-3), and developing autonomous assets for maritime surveillance. This significant budgetary escalation signals a major policy shift toward strengthening Japan’s defensive posture and projecting military capability across the Indo-Pacific region.
中文摘要
日本防衛省已提出一筆創紀錄的556億美元預算，旨在徹底轉型其軍事能力。該提議指出，由於來自中國和俄羅斯在太平洋日益增加的安全威脅，必須進行根本性改革。戰略重點是適應「新式作戰方式」，因此優先投入人工智慧（AI）整合、無人系統以及遠程拒止打擊武器的開發。主要投資項目包括強化太平洋海上通道防禦、採購先進的防空系統（如愛國者PAC-3），以及開發用於海域監測的自主資產。這筆重大的預算增幅，標誌著日本政策轉向重大轉變，旨在加強其防禦態勢並在印太地區投射軍事能力。
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