Kurt Davis Jr
For decades, the United States projected global influence through what foreign policy experts call “soft power” – the ability to shape world affairs through cultural appeal, diplomatic engagement and ideological attraction rather than military force.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, this traditional approach to international relations is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
Critics decry the shift as abandonment of American leadership. They’re missing the point. What we’re witnessing isn’t a reckless dismantling of American influence but rather a necessary recalibration for a world where the old rules no longer apply.
The traditional soft power model lacked clear metrics in today’s competitive global landscape. While previous administrations invested heavily in abstract notions of goodwill and long-term influence, Trump recognized that in a world where China and Russia wield economic leverage to expand their spheres of influence, America needed a strategy prioritizing tangible returns over ideological appeal.
This approach has manifested in several high-profile decisions: withdrawing from agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, questioning the value proposition of NATO (in today’s form), and reconsidering America’s role in international organizations.
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