Title: Wielding Soft Power in Trump's Realm
In the new political landscape, President-elect Trump confronts a vastly different set of international challenges compared to his first term. The geopolitical landscape is brimming with difficulties, including heated conflicts involving nuclear powers' borders, such as Israel, Pakistan, and Russia with Ukraine. Furthermore, the early indications of a substantial economic conflict are being sparked. Trump's pledge to initiate one of the most extensive trade wars in recent history continues to develop, potentially affecting numerous nations.
Power Addresses a Variety of Challenges
Power can manifest in various forms, including military dominance, economic sanctions, and the capacity to attract nations to one's cause. In the next four years, Trump will need an abundance of this latter type of power to secure cooperation from other countries on various matters. These include export controls, border control for illegal immigration, and intelligence collection on adversaries like ISIS. Cooperation is also vital for concluding diplomatic agreements, securing funds, and maintaining political support for potential peace initiatives with both allies and adversaries.
The Importance of Soft Power
Soft power relies on persuasion, diplomacy, and attractive attributes to influence others. As global dynamics become more complex, a soft power-focused strategy will be crucial for achieving cooperation on a broader scale. The ability to win allies' consent through negotiation, persuasion, and collaboration will be essential for navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.
To illustrate this, I reached out to two seasoned diplomats who have effectively wielded soft power throughout their careers.

Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, points out that those who adhere to a hard power mindset often approach international relations as a series of one-time transactions. However, soft power can generate lasting norms and institutions that reduce the long-term expense in terms of both lives and financial resources. He argues that, while force can establish subjugation, it fails to generate true consent.
The deft maneuvering of former President Jimmy Carter during the Camp David negotiations offers a prime example of soft power in action. When an impasse threatened to derail the entire peace process, Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin was reluctant to dismantle Israeli settlements, believing it to be a breach of his oath. Rather than employing threats and ultimatums, President Carter engaged in calm, personal conversations with key leaders. By demonstrating empathy and patience, he ultimately helped salvage the peace negotiations.
Former UN Ambassador for Singapore, Burhan Gafoor, also highlights the significance of listening to others as a powerful diplomatic tool. Gafoor emphasizes that the ability to communicate effectively using empathy and curiosity is often overlooked as a critical leadership skill. He asserts that if he were to reconsider his career choices, he would prioritize listening over speaking.
In the evolving global political landscape, America must employ a blend of both hard and soft power strategies to navigate complex challenges. Soft power serves as a powerful tool for building understanding and fostering cooperation, while also preserving the option to employ force when necessary to safeguard interests.
- Under President-elect Trump's tenure, effective utilization of soft power will be crucial in his foreign policy, as it can persuade other nations to cooperate on export controls, border control, intelligence collection, and diplomatic agreements, potentially saving both lives and financial resources in the long term.
- Trump's foreign policy will necessitate a blend of hard and soft power strategies, as demonstrated by former President Jimmy Carter's successful use of soft power during the Camp David negotiations, where calm, personal conversations and empathy helped salvage the peace process.
- In the new political landscape, employing soft power will allow Trump to address international challenges more effectively, as shown by Bob Rae's assertion that soft power generates lasting norms and institutions, reducing the expense of conflict in the long term.