What can go wrong in civil-military relations?

The selection regarding military interference in policies, civilian overreach without understanding military implications, and the breakdown of trust and communication highlights the complex dynamics that can arise in civil-military relations. This answer recognizes that an imbalance between military and civilian authority can lead to significant challenges.

When military leaders start to exert influence over civilian policy-making or when civilians make decisions regarding military operations without adequate military understanding, it can create friction and misunderstandings. This interference can result in policies that are not well-informed by military realities, potentially compromising national security or operational effectiveness. Furthermore, if trust and communication between civilian leaders and military officials deteriorate, it can lead to a lack of cohesion in executing national defense strategies and policies, which might result in failure to respond effectively to threats.

This choice accurately captures the potential pitfalls in civil-military relations, emphasizing the need for a balanced collaboration between military and civilian leaders to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of national security and public welfare.