Implementing Smart Power

President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have signaled a willingness to shift American foreign policy to what has been deemed a “Smart Power” approach by promising more resources to international development and civilian capabilities.  However, with the global economy in shambles and resources becoming increasingly difficult to come by, there is a large gap between the idea of Smart Power and the capacity to implement Smart Power.  Today, in light of the new policy direction, the Center for U.S. Global Engagement hosted a conference, “Putting ‘Smart Power’ to Work,” bringing together senior policymakers including Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew and Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell to discuss the necessary changes needed to implement foreign policy based on a Smart Power plan.

According to the panelists, implementing a Smart Power approach requires a major investment – both in political will and financial. Additional resources are required to expand international development and strengthen civilian capabilities within USAID and the Department of State.  General Powell describes the challenge of meeting these targets on par with trench warfare with Congress.  However, the Obama administration not only needs to win over Congress, but possibly most importantly, the American people. Building citizen awareness of the issue could in turn push Congress to direct more funds toward bolstering the necessary institutions.

Citizen awareness, according to the panelists, which also included former Congressman Jim Leach, Senator Robert Menendez, and Wendy Sherman (a former Clinton official now with the Albright Group), is necessary to show the country that the economic crisis should not prevent us from engaging internationally.  Rather, expanding international development will foster international goodwill and will likely strengthen global markets, ultimately benefiting the U.S. economy and increase demand for American goods.  If a Smart Power approach is executed correctly, then in the future defense spending may not be required at current levels, striking a much desired balance between defense and diplomacy.

Interestingly, General Powell said that while he thinks Smart Power is a vast improvement over the “soft” and “hard” powers approaches of the past, he still isn’t comfortable with how the term “power” is perceived abroad.  Rather, General Powell suggests rephrasing out approach in terms of  “Smart Influence,” emphasizing American ideals over force.  Powell believes it is imperative to maintain a strong military and go in strong when necessary, but it is compassion which will increase America’s standing in the world, and decrease the likelihood of a military confrontation.

In the end, though, it comes down to money.  To establish the foreign policy our leaders have deemed necessary, we need the resources.

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