Concern is growing in academic and political circles within the United States due to a noticeable decline in global influence, as Washington has become overly reliant on its military arsenal and economic pressure. This shift comes at the expense of diplomatic and cultural tools that for decades represented the primary pillar of American influence on the international stage.
In this context, 'Foreign Policy' magazine published an extensive analysis by Stephen Walt, a lecturer at Harvard University, in which he affirmed that the erosion of soft power is no longer merely a theoretical discussion but has become an accelerating trend. Walt believes that the United States, despite its material superiority, is suffering from a real crisis in its ability to attract others and persuade them of its political and value model.
The analysis is based on the concept of 'soft power' coined by the late Joseph Nye, which is based on the idea of voluntary attraction rather than coercion. A state that possesses this type of power makes others want to emulate it and associate with its model, achieving more sustainable and profound results than direct military pressure.
Walt points out that this balance, which characterized American superiority after the Cold War, has begun to fade, especially with the emergence of the current administration's approach, which places hard power as a first and permanent option. This trend is evident in the imposition of unilateral tariffs and the use of economic threats as a means to force allies and partners to make concessions.
The article also drew attention to the expanded use of military force in unconventional arenas, such as operations targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. These actions were often carried out without sufficient legal evidence, and with an implicit acknowledgment that they would not radically end the drug trade.
The analysis touched upon the aggressive language that has come to characterize American political discourse towards world leaders, including allies such as the Ukrainian president. International relations are dealt with in terms of direct deals, with a clear absence of the moral or legal justifications that Washington previously used to frame its actions.
The author believes that the current administration seems willing to display power nakedly and without equivocation, which represents a departure from the historical pattern that was keen on conferring international legitimacy. This behavior has undermined the mental image of the United States as a country that respects international laws and institutions that it itself helped build.
The decline was not limited to political discourse but extended to include the dismantling of institutions that represent the arms of soft power, foremost among them the United States Agency for International Development. Policies also included reducing the budgets of media and diplomatic institutions that formed cultural bridges with the peoples of the world.
The American withdrawal from international organizations and reduced participation in multilateral issues has led to a significant strategic vacuum. This vacuum has been exploited by rival powers, led by China, which has begun to improve its external image and present itself as a more stable alternative in the fields of cultural diplomacy.
Walt warns that dividing the world into 'winners' and 'losers' weakens Washington's ability to win the support of peoples in the long run. Focusing on immediate results and fleeting deals destroys the cumulative trust built over decades, and makes allies feel insecure about future American intentions.
The article cited successful historical examples such as the 'Marshall Plan' and the establishment of NATO, where military power was supported by a comprehensive political and economic vision. These successes would not have been achieved without the delicate balance between the ability to deter and the ability to inspire and attract culturally and in terms of values.
In contrast, the author links major failures in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan to an over-reliance on the military machine as the sole tool for decisive action. The absence of a soft power strategy in those conflicts made it impossible to achieve political stability or win the loyalty of local communities despite field superiority.
Viewing diplomatic settlements as a sign of weakness represents a fundamental problem in Washington's current political thought. History proves that America's greatest victories, including ending the Cold War, were the result of complex negotiations and a mix of pressures and incentives, not just a display of force.
Walt concluded his warning by emphasizing that the continuation of this approach will make it difficult in the future to separate 'America the model' from the actions of its volatile policies. If the United States loses its attractiveness as an idea, its military superiority alone will not be enough to maintain its position in an increasingly complex and competitive international system.
What distinguishes the current American approach is not only the nature of the goals but also the tools that are increasingly relied upon, foremost among them hard power.
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The Decline of 'Soft Power': How Washington Replaced Soft Diplomacy with the Military Machine?