Secretary Gates on Soft Power
Speaking at Kansas State University, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that “soft power” (diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action, and economic reconstruction and development) are just as “hard power” in achieving our national interests and dealing with terrorism. In the Landon Lecture delivered November 26, 2007, Secretary Gates said: … my message today is not about the defense budget or military power. My message is that if we are to meet the myriad challenges around the world in the coming decades, this country must strengthen other important elements of national power both institutionally and financially, and create the capability to integrate and apply all of the elements of national power to problems and challenges abroad. In short, based on my experience serving seven presidents, as a former Director of CIA and now as Secretary of Defense, I am here to make the case for strengthening our capacity to use “soft” power and for better integrating i...