How the US has squandered its soft power

For decades, as a triumphant Second World War power and the wealthiest among nations, the US created a semblance of equilibrium between its soft and hard powers to extend its global influence. Its soft power, manifested through its cultural and financial prowess, was used to create and preserve alliances, especially during the Cold War. It reverted to hard power, its military, only when direct threats to its national security or the security of its closest allies appeared imminent.

America’s soft power was unrivaled in a polarized world. After President John Kennedy created the US Agency for International Development in 1961, American support for multifaceted humanitarian, developmental and cultural programs in the developing world saved millions of lives. More importantly, it brought about political gains that helped America secure its ranking as the world’s No. 1 superpower.

Kennedy, defending the creation of USAID, said in 1962: “The people who are opposed to aid should realize that this is a very powerful source of strength for us. It permits us to exert influence for the maintenance of freedom. If we were not so heavily involved, our voice would not speak with such vigor.”

In recent years, USAID’s budget ranged between $40 billion and $60 billion annually, less than 1 percent of the US’ annual budget. However, its influence over and support of US foreign policy has been tremendous.

USAID has been involved in many projects across the developing world, supporting water, health, education and environmental projects and pushing for democratic, economic and political reforms.

Hundreds of projects across the globe have been terminated overnight. The fallout has been dramatic

Osama Al-Sharif

But America’s hard power was not absent from this reality. The US has used its mighty military globally. It has supported despots, removed democratically elected governments and engaged in costly wars that have failed to serve America’s national security interests. These wars have come at a hefty cost to the US taxpayer.

As a result of President Donald Trump’s second-term decisions, the concept of America’s soft power is now disintegrating. USAID has been canceled. Its budget has been slashed and few of its programs have been kept. No one really knows if the agency will survive. Hundreds of projects across the globe have been terminated overnight. The fallout has been dramatic.

The consequences of the end of USAID and other aid programs are yet to be known. The administration’s policies now affect educational exchanges and scholarships, cultural diplomacy programs, international broadcasting and media outreach, economic aid and development programs, diplomatic efforts and public diplomacy initiatives.

Some pundits believe that, despite America’s soft power initiatives, it has failed to be recognized as a world leader and a superpower in a unipolar world, while failing to provide a model for budding liberal democracies.

Despite its soft power, the US waged criminal wars on Iraq and Afghanistan and has supported an apartheid regime in Israel. America’s post-9/11 wars resulted in the deaths of millions. The “regime change” mantra of the neoconservatives only succeeded in destabilizing most of the Middle East without resolving any of its problems, which linger to this day.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has circumvented America’s soft power by eliminating USAID while triggering a global trade war. Both will undermine America’s closest and most vulnerable allies.

By imposing tariffs on some of America’s closest partners while suspending US aid, the White House is wasting the country’s geopolitical influence.

The discussion over the tariffs is ongoing. No one knows how this latest move will affect world trade, globalization and America’s influence worldwide.

Such a major departure from the established US foreign policy approach will change the dynamics of global relations

Osama Al-Sharif

Today, it is clear that many of America’s allies will suffer from its aid cuts and tariffs. Such a major departure from the established US foreign policy approach will change the dynamics of global relations. The loss of direct US aid means that many countries will alter their policies as they seek alternatives.

If it happens, a trade war will polarize the world even further, giving new superpowers like China the opportunity to fill the gap.

But more importantly, America’s withdrawal from the international stage means that, as globalization falters, new regional economic coalitions will pick up the mantle and try to replace the existing economic world order. That means economic coalitions like BRICS and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will try to fill the vacuum left by the US as a political, military and economic leader.

No one really knows how the US gambit will turn out. The attempt to force the world into adopting a new trade deal looks desperate, as financial markets continue to slide. Geopolitically, the US is wasting its soft power and is about to lose it completely. Trump’s goal of restoring America as a main global industrial hub appears elusive.

Overall, the White House is giving up America’s soft power, hoping to save the US economy. Few have discussed the meager amount the US has invested to maintain such control. The cost of the US relinquishing its leading role as a supporter of humanitarian and developmental projects worldwide will be tremendous.

No other country can today replace America’s funding of hundreds of projects aimed at containing global disease, stabilizing nascent democratic regimes and supporting developmental projects across the planet.

America’s loss of its soft power will certainly ignite new global geopolitical crises. The US is not a perfect model to be idolized, but the fact that it has helped millions of people fight disease and other challenges means that its withdrawal will leave a troubled world.

• Osama Al-Sharif is a journalist and political commentator in Amman. X: @plato010