Civilian-Military Relations
66 Articles
US Democracy’s Survival Requires a More Powerful Response to January 6th
Team Trump's shocking efforts to manipulate government institutions to overturn the 2020 election results echo despots abroad.
A Transitional Period Constitutional Question in Sudan
Sudan's military derailed a transition to civilian control in October. The former Minister of Justice takes a deep dive into the legal ambiguity in key founding documents that…
Retired Russian Generals Criticize Putin Over Ukraine, Renew Call for His Resignation
Censors haven't yet blocked the rhetorical attack from the assembly of hardline veterans, giving the message space and time to spread.
2022 Update: Good Governance Paper No. 6: Domestic Military Operations
At one-year mark of Biden administration, top experts revisit proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government.
A Soldier and His Establishment: In the Life of Colin Powell, Who Failed Whom?
The question to ask is not what he should have done differently, but what, if anything, his life suggests we should do differently.
Sudan’s Constitutional Crisis: Dissecting the Coup Declaration
Suspending certain articles while retaining parts of the transitional deal cloaks a unilateral power-grab as merely a course correction.
How the UN Can Strengthen its Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic Amid a Changed Conflict
A Security Council divided over rights violations by Russian paramilitaries must maintain civilian protection as a priority.
What To Do About Lt. General (retired) Flynn: Military Justice and Civil-Military Relations Considerations
Flynn's recent conduct has raised new questions about retiree court-martial jurisdiction. Yevgeny Vindman and Dan Maurer make the legal and policy argument for a court-martial.…
What Do Future U.S. Generals Think About Dissent, Disobedience, and Resignation?
Survey research suggests respect for civilian-control appears to be the exception, not the norm, among a significant portion of the senior military officers who participated.
What Should Be Addressed in Austin’s Confirmation Hearing for Defense Secretary?
Some of the top defense experts and thinkers offer their thoughts on what issues they’d like to see addressed and what questions they’d like to see asked at retired Gen. Lloyd…
Shifting Norms About Secretary of Defense Has Long-Term Consequences: On the Austin Nomination
Even if retired Gen. Lloyd Austin handles the job of defense secretary perfectly, his nomination alone still has long-term consequences, eroding the norm of civilian control by…
Important Context Missing from the Austin Nomination Debate
Civilian control of the military is an essential part of our constitutional fabric, but that doesn’t mean that recently retired officers are inevitably inappropriate defense…