Unfortunately, some people refuse to see the value of "soft power," and falsely equate it with weakness, or with an unwillingness to exert power. For them, let me state that soft power, the power that comes from relationships of mutual trust, is essential to the exercise of our hard power. The ability to deploy US forces around the world and activate them when needed depends heavily on understandings that require patient cultivation. A dark week, indeed.
Unfortunately, some people refuse to see the value of "soft power," and falsely equate it with weakness, or with an unwillingness to exert power. For them, let me state that soft power, the power that comes from relationships of mutual trust, is essential to the exercise of our hard power. The ability to deploy US forces around the world and activate them when needed depends heavily on understandings that require patient cultivation. A dark week, indeed.