By Bruce Stokes and Richard Wike, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Bruce Stokes is director of Global Economic Attitudes at the Pew Research Center. Richard Wike is associate director of the Pew Global Attitudes Project.
With less than three months to go in the U.S. presidential election, the candidates’ debate over America’s place in the world can only be expected to escalate. Republican contender Mitt Romney is likely to echo a theme he developed in the spring primary campaign: America’s stature on the world stage has suffered during President Barack Obama’s time in the White House. President Obama can be expected to counter that America isn’t in decline; in fact, during his tenure U.S. influence has rebounded.
This debate is broadly about American power. But power is a nuanced concept. It manifests itself both through military muscle and cultural influence. The candidates’ stump speeches rarely delineate this distinction. But global publics do. Recent opinion surveys suggest that people outside the United States question American hard power and increasingly embrace U.S. soft power.
Whoever is president in 2013, the success abroad of his foreign policy may depend on achieving the right balance in the exercise of American hard and soft power.
Public opinion data – including the results of the annual Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes surveys, the yearly Transatlantic Trends polls by the German Marshall Fund and other surveys – leave no doubt that foreign approval of the United States in most parts of the world is much higher today than it was in the waning days of President George W. Bush’s administration. In France, Spain, and Germany, for example, the percentage of people with a positive view of the U.S. is at least 20 percentage points higher than in 2008, according to the Pew Research Center studies. And much of that rebound is attributable to the personal popularity of Barack Obama.
But national stature fueled by presidential personality is inherently volatile. Once global publics soured on Bush, their view of most things American took on a negative hue. And his successor’s rock star attractiveness created an Obama-bounce for a range of measures of America’s influence. However, that Obama aura actually never existed in the Middle East. And it has already begun to fade, if only somewhat, in a number of countries. How the world would take to the largely unknown Romney as president remains to be seen.
A potentially more sustainable measure of U.S. stature may be the global public’s assessment of the exercise of American power in all its forms, both soft and hard. Here, polling data suggests respect for U.S. soft power is on the rise, although many measures of it still don’t enjoy majority support. Meanwhile, global publics are at times divided and in other instances strongly opposed to the exercise of U.S. hard power. A drone campaign against extremist leaders and organizations in places such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia has been one of the Obama administration’s signature foreign policy initiatives. Yet a median of 69 percent across 20 of the countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center this spring oppose such strikes. The policy is particularly unpopular in majority Muslim nations, but also in Europe and other regions as well. Indeed, at least three-in-four hold negative views in a diverse set of countries: Greece (90 percent), Egypt (89 percent), Jordan (85 percent), Turkey (81 percent), Spain (76 percent), Brazil (76 percent) and Japan (75 percent).
Moreover, just as in the Bush years, there’s a widespread perception that Washington acts unilaterally in world affairs. Among the 20 countries surveyed, there isn’t a single country where at least half the population believes Obama has taken their nation’s interests into account when making foreign policy (Brazil is the closest, with 49 percent of those surveyed saying he had). The numbers are similarly low for those who believe Obama hasn’t sought international approval before militarily intervening in the world’s trouble spots.
And while there’s majority support for U.S. anti-terrorism efforts in most nations, roughly two-in-five people still oppose them. There has never been much backing for this initiative in the Muslim world. And, since 2009, the first year of the Obama administration, there has been a 20 percentage point drop in support for such American activities in Mexico, a 17 point drop in China, an eight point decline in Germany, a seven point drop in the United Kingdom and a six point drop in Spain.
At the same time, aspects of American soft power are well-regarded. Looking at 16 countries polled by Pew in both 2007 and 2012, a median of 65 percent embraces American music, movies and television, up six percentage points from five years ago. The appeal of American popular culture has increased even more in particular nations. It’s up 16 points in Mexico, 10 points in Russia and eight points in Italy and Turkey.
More than half the population in 16 of 20 countries also admire the U.S. for its science and technology. And that backing is up 15 points in Spain, 11 points in Pakistan, seven points in Italy and six points in Japan.
A median of just 45 percent like American ideas about democracy, but it’s notable that backing is up 10 points since 2007 in the 16 nations where there is comparable data. And such approval has jumped a whopping 30 points in Spain, 20 points in Italy and France and 14 points in Germany.
Meanwhile, a median of 43 percent admire American ways of doing business and such support is up 11 percentage points since 2007, despite the Lehman Brothers fiasco in 2008. Even in nations where overall ratings for the U.S. remain low, such as in the Arab World, more than half in Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt say they appreciate American business practices.
There are good reasons to believe that the influence of U.S. soft power will continue to grow. American popular culture and ideas about democracy are particularly appealing to young people who will be the leaders and opinion molders of the future.
Still, there are limits to American soft power. Even as people embrace certain features of American culture, they also worry that it may crowd out their own cultures and traditions – Japan is the only nation of 20 surveyed where at least half the population believe it is a positive thing for U.S. ideas and customs to spread to their country. Nevertheless, the median percentage that sees such Americanization as a good thing has increased over the last five years. And this includes an uptick in support of 16 points in Japan, 15 points in Mexico and Italy and 13 points in Poland.
Pew Research Center surveys show the American people want their country to show leadership in the world. It will be up to President Romney, or a re-elected President Obama, to determine the balance of hard and soft power within American foreign policy. If they had a vote, global publics are suggesting they would like to see more soft power.
The full survey results of the survey are available at
http://pewglobal.org/
.
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That sounds rather funny coming from Obama since he continued to play the role of the world's biggest bully. There's nothing "soft" about bullying, nothing at all! This bullying other nations needs to cease here and now!
No, that's not bullying, its called leadership!
Obama's policies have more or less destroyed Al Queda and it's leadership has cracked under intense US efforts to capture and interrogate them. None of the countries surveyed have done anything close to what the US has accomplished under president Obama's outstanding leadership.
Define Leadership...
Well at least he's gotten those pesky states under control through courts even if he has been a world leader.
For Johnny Z
You mean like giving 250 Million dollars to Pakistan in January !!!
Seriously mam, he's been a complete and utter "wuss" and is maybe the single worst President in the History of the United States!
Seriously, Are you Blind?
BS hindu, criminal style.
"Soft" power only exists when everyone is already in, or close to, agreement on something. When people disagree, some, but few frankly, will respond to being "talked into" something (i.e. "Soft Power"), most, however, will adhere to their positions no matter what, and consider the use of "Soft"power as a sign of weakness.
"Soft" power is simply a first step, one we always hope other respond to, but if they do not, and if the matter is serious enough, then real power, HARD power is needed.
Everyone wants us to be "Soft" until THEIR interests are at stake, and their antagonist will not respond to "Soft" power, then, oddly enough, they appeal to us to use real power, HARD power, to help them. Then we are vilified for doing it.
"Soft"power is simply the level where everyone feels equal, the level of words, not deeds, but only deeds get things done. When the sh%t hits the fan, and deeds are all that matters, they dial Washington D.C., The Pentagon, and appeal for some HARD power.
Indeed, soft power captures the heart and soul of the scores and is much more effective than nukes and drones.
Good posting above, Lyndsie. Just ignore all these uneducated lemmings the way I do. Some may even be Tea Partiers themselves. Like you Lyndsie, I too hate bullying in all shapes and forms.
Lyndsie G – VERY well said. The world remembers:
# Obama illegally invading Pakistan to kill Bin Laden. The fact Americans danced in the streets didn't make it right!
# Obama on world TV encouraging the Arab Spring and de-stabilizing the Middle East.
# Obama apologising for the Quran burning error the same day as 4 American soldiers were shot in the head by the
SAME people he was apologising to – did he mention them and state his objections? NO.
# Obama refusing to have a formal meeting or the traditional dinner with the UK Prime Minister,Gordon Brown
because he was too tired!
I could go on!
.
不出二十年將出現中國主導的世界經濟格局
美國經濟領先地位將被中國超越
在中國經濟光芒下黯然失色
中國得善用自己放款國的身份
令欠債國屈服
則在全球的領導地位更為鞏固
美國 – 債台高築 貧富不均 政治爭拗不休 利益團體權力膨脹
未來十年內難有經濟增長的動力
.
Obama was black . It is the reason of why He is popular outside the America but not for working . He will approve Gay abortion thus he will diminish his popularity around the world
Are you saying that Obama is no longer African American?
Bizzare comment.
no i think he is saying obama is gay.
That tells me your IQ.
I think Lee is saying that Obama used to be black but now he isn't. Now that hes not black he is more popular than ever for being white and not working, while making sure gays have the right to have an abortion when they get knocked up by their gay lovers..... or something like that.
Are you saying he was born in Africa?
Political IQ in the severely impaired range.
You have never been outside the USA have you?
Gay Abortion? Well, Pat Robertson and Tea Bag Party have fruitful imaginations.
U.S want soft countrys like IRAC, IGYPT, PAKISTAN, SYRRIA like that,But this is hard. And U.S feared about CHINA,RUSSIA
U.S patiance day by day fall down infront of World community.
The US needs a greatly reduced role in world affairs. Let the world police itself and bring out service men and women home to US soil.
Interestingly, Pat Buchanan has been saying exactly this for years.
I agree totally. We need to top trying to be the world's police. We're devoting too much energy and resources in countries we don't belong. We have so many things at home we could devote those billions to (like the deficit).
The world CAN'T police itself, that's the problem. The US is only one with the military resources to do the job.
Right, the US has more in military spending than the rest of world, combined. Fiscally It's not sustainable (Don't tell the GOP that) which means the US role of playing world police will have to change. Might doesn't make right.
BUlly, yeah, using force he solves one problem and creates two.
then let them pay us for military protection. But they expect to get it for free. We need to dissolve NATO immediately and tell our freeloading "allies" that they are on their own. Then they can either pay us to stay or buy our military hardware at a profit for us.
It is true that the US have alot of military resources..... not the most anymore, but close to it. Their is this missconception amongst the public that US involvment is necessary because the world can't police itself, and in most cases this isn't the case...... but by holding such a strong "muscleman" position on being a world leader the US has made itself too many enemies to stop now.
The other countries aren't freeloading, they are just being smart and they are not making themselves unneccessary targets to the countries that the US is radicalizing
blue19 – do you have any proof of that or are you lying and hoping noone calls you on it.
You are right. It would take a world power to police the world. We can't even police America and protect it's citizens.
As long as they take our money they get hard power,they want soft power from us ? give the money back
the world is governed by the aggressive use of force.if it is not us it will be someone else
The fact is that soft power comes from the perception that hard power could be used as well. You can't have one without the other.
And to our friends in the Middle East: A man named Barack Hussein Obama who spent time in Indonesia is the best you are going to get for a long long time. If you aren't happy with him, then you simply cannot and will not be pleased, and we should stop trying.
There is no such thing as "soft power." Power is power, and it is always hard. That is why it is desperately sought after and why it works. Not a lecture, just an observation.
Actually soft power according to the article is like the concept of moral suasion which is to convince someone to do something by insinuating that you may do something. It's psychological. hard power according to the article is military action.
Soft power is just trying to convince people that you aren't screwing them over. In other words, lying and manipulating them. Hard power is at least honest. These countries don't want American soft power, they just want America to go away. All these countries are asking for is for America to pretend that "cooperating" with them is in its interests. All that will get us is tied down with words and meaningless unenforceable pages of treaties and regulations, and crushed in the global marketplace because we are only a small fraction of the world total population. Meanwhile, our economy and culture will die. Which is what they want. Of course, liberals are so stupid and egomaniacal, they fall victim to this ploy because they truly believe they are "leading" and "doing the right thing".
@blackluke8...are you on anxiolytics? That is the most stupid rant I have heard all day. Why don't you detox and then return.
Under President Obama's leadership, America's trust, respect and credibility around the world has been the highest since 1945 when the Allies led by the United States defeated Nazi Germany. This President doesn't just lead by words but also by deeds and this was evident during his speech in Cairo, Egypt in 2009 where he spoke about a "New Beginning" with the Muslim World, subsequently addressing "Seven Sources" of tension, ranging from violent extremism, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and nuclear arms in the Middle-East to democracy, freedom of religion, women's rights and economic opportunity. And of course, during the unrest in Yemen, Egypt and Libya during the Arab Spring, President Obama called on those nation to recognized its citizens rights to demonstrate and determine their own destiny and he called on those leaders to work towards a speedy transformation for democratic reform. Then when Moammar Ghadaffi chose a different route and used violence to oppress his people, PresidentObama called upon the UN and the world community to take action to resolve this conflict so that lives could be saved and democracy could take shape. Likewise, democratic reform was also influenced in Sudan where the South is now liberated and channeling their own future. That is called leadership. Thank you President Obama!
Where do you get this crap? Higher than Clinton's? Higher than Reagan's? People loved us in the 80's and 90's. B.O. hasn't done anything to make the world think better of America.
And don't forget Obama's Nobel Peace prize, for which he did absolutely nothing expcept for being black.
Another Liberal dimwit who can shovel 50 pounds of Bull poo into a 25 pound sack!
Let's be objective about this... Let's see... how's the "reset" with Russia going? How are things w/ Pakistan? How are things in the middle east? Where is the relation w/ China heading? An objective evaluation of these issues shows the administration have bungled one after another. I don't know what anyone is talking about when they say Obama is doing well in foreign policy area.
You are right. The world even loved us when GW was President. Besides who cares what the world think of us, they are not voting in our elections. Right?
I hope you're joking with that question.
Wow, not much support for anti-terrorism in the Muslim world. Who would have thought that?
We do need a little "hard power" (hard=military, soft=culture) to fight Islamic terrorism and imperialism. Drones are working.
Yes, from time to time there have been some disagreements with countries like Russia and China about how we go about dealing with unrest in certain parts of the world and the reality is that countries like Russia and China have their own interest and of course, their own political doctrines when it comes to dealing with intervention in places like Syria in Iran. But the reality is these countries, including Pakistan and the entire Arab world trust and respect President Obama and this is evident in recent polls taken across the globe where the President's approval rating is very high. And so far, this President has ended the illegitimate Iraqi war, is aggressively winding down the Afghan war and O' yes, he hasn't lied about some bogus WMD's to start another illegitimate war.
Wrong, liar. Unlike in Iraq–where GWB already had a U.N. mandate to go back in if Hussein attacked our military enforcing the no-fly zones (which Hussein did numerous time), and GWB got the Senate's OK (including Hillary) to go in–Obama did NOT get congressional approval to engage in military action in Libya. He violated the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
So I guess your hero needs to give back the Nobel Peace Prize he didn't really earn.
Dead on. These liberal fanatics don't even understand current events as they are happening. What a bunch of morons.
you are the rep of GOP: Iraq war is legitimate. That is exactly how this world started to go down.
I have reached the conclusion that we must apply the “Minimalist Approach” to solve India’s malaise and problems. Essentially that entails imploding India into more economically, politically and socially viable states that are independent. From the ashes shall rise the salvation.
Amen. Break the sucker up...too big to manage. Empower the minorities
I saw the blurb that said "soft power". I said what's that? and came here to find out.
I am no wiser. From context it sounds like "soft power" = culture?
Hmm...
yes
It is quite obvious that UN, NATO, Eurozone have all played their roles but have become redundant in current times. We need to think out of the box. A global democratic body embodies our political aspirations. We can't go back to the old paradigm that gave us several world wars. Present setup is more of a dictatorship with General America leading the charge. We need to consolidate and then decentralize under democratic principles.
GFYS. Keep your global democracy fantasies to yourself. What a load.
Seems like you are jealous of krm1007 ©™. I think he has a unique idea.
Excellent idea. Your democratic ideals are applaudable. I would go a step further and propose that the seat of this global government should be in a developing country rather than New York City.
You can say that again. I totally concur with you
We subscribe to the school of thought (as propagated by many commentators on this forum most prominent being @krm1007 ©™) that these G2/4/6/8/20 etc, IMF, World Bank and UN et al have lived their utility and should be undone.
An elected world government should emerge based on democratic principles of one person one vote. There will be no veto powers.
Yes you say this over and over again, in most conversations, using a Jewish name even though you are spouting the islamist agenda. Try telling the truth every once in a while, you might like it!
For Hindus like you apparently you don't get the message once. So listen up !!!! And quit hiding behind Jews and Muslims. For once, you Indians need to stand up on your four legs. Shalom
The message above for patrick (patel?)
Sounds good to me.
This is like frozen music to me. Bravo ...krm...!!
You want the US to be soft? STOP ATTACKING US!
Safety of our people and security of USA is always our No1 priority! USA as world LEADER, must be there where ACTION is… Period of Cold War station troops is over, and US need Modern Military with new technology, ABM defense system, cyber security, drones and special forces ready for fast reaction…
Bribing "opposition" into mass protests in Russia before and right after recent elections: is this example of "soft power" and "leadership"? I do not think anybody was asking for that s****, current administration just came up with it to punish Russia for its anti-rocket position for Europe!
That article is just another liberal pile of muck (and I mean liberal in general sense: dems, reps and EU)!
What the world really wants from America is all of the hand outs they can get and us to take all of the crap they want give us. They rest of the world thinks the U.S. is the worlds charity provider. While the rotten politcians keep handing out borrowed money the begger nations will keep on accepting it. Now the Syrian rebels want us to finance their civil war .It's way past time to bring our troops and our money HOME!
I really do not appreciate foreigners coming to an American news site and posting their drivel. Don't they have sites of their own to post on? Beat it, your poor English and foreign ways are irritating.
@Face You are so right! There is just one Pakistani troll who posts under many different names "Lyndsie Graham", krm1007 ©™ etc. He is short on logic but posts a lot of Islamic hatred toward Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and of course Jews. He has only one message of hatred and he keeps recycling the same thing while thanking Pakistan for some ridiculous reasons. It is Ramadan time - Ramadan is the "festival of terror" - so please expect some extra venom from this Pakistani troll at this time. CNN, please do something about it.
If you have any ideas please share them with us. Just criticising someone for putting their ideas forth (some of them great & original like @krm1007) does not cut mustard with readers. So if you don't have anything constructive to say, just remain silent.
Are you jealous of @krm1007? At least he makes sensible and intelligent comments. Your choice of words are pathetic....just -ve karma in your rants.
Casby – how can anyone be jealous of a moron, moron?
Lolol....debate the issue .... will ya ???
Right: who cares what all these dumb foreigners have to say: you want to lead them to show them the right way, not to listenn to their senseless drivel!
P.S. If only you Americans could mind your own business and leave the rest of the world alone: you would have the right to expect the rest of the world do just the same! But I do not think occasional foreign troll here and there is such a high price to pay for the opportunity to judge others from your high horse and to share your feeling of your superiority with all these untermenschen!
The rest of the world can kiss our a ss.
May be, may be not.... But what is clear as day is the fact that we sure are kicking your Pakistani terrorist a$$ with drones. How is that working out for you?
Together we shall prevail, as we have done in the past while overcoming insurmountable odds. After all, the Americans and Pakistanis share common values and history in the struggle for their Independence and their fight for survival.
God Speed. "In God We Trust".
Switch is on or off –
"We love you America"
"We hate you America the Big Satan"
COO Coo!
No, we do not want either power neither hard not soft. The rest of people in the world want to have a nice warm relationship with the people of other countries. It is the people in power in our countries that make the country look bad. I bet no decent American would like a Mexican or German military base in U.S. territory. I bet no decent American would like to be bullied about economic sanctions because the government of the U.S. does not surrender to other countries requests. It is easy to look from only one's perspective but it requires actual intelligence to be able to look at issues from various perspectives. Even this reporter is just stupid in his article. Who said people abroad want the U.S. power in their house? this is just misleading...just like any American does not want any foreign meddling in their affairs that is how people think abroad. And do not blame the American people of any misdeed because it is not them doing the bad things abroad it is just a few one trying to pretend to represent the American people sentiment...
And for those saying that as long as any country owes money to the U.S. then that country should surrender its sovereignty to the U.S. then, the U.S. should surrender its sovereignty to China and other creditors...The rule is simple: don't do unto other what you do not wish for yourself....
It is true that America has to make a choice between soft vs. hard power. However, your mighty country of Pakistan is exercising its power against helpless children. Pakistan has already made a choice to deny its children polio vaccine just because it was invented by a Jew. Pakistan made a very cruel choice. It should reconsider its bad choices when it exercises its mighty power over innocent, helpless children.
Why are you so obsessed with Pakistan? This article has no connotation of Pakistan. Is your psyche concerned that Pakistan has emerged as a regional power and kicked India to the curb?
hinduism, absurdity of a hindu, liar from hindered terrorist land india, Pakistan has not forbidden to dispense vaccine, because it was invented by a hindu Jew, filthy secular, but espionage by CIA to play their own game, probation is not by Pakistan government by people of bordering area of Pakistan. hindu's, lairs in hind, filth of hinduism, racism, raised in hind, filth of hinduism, absurdity and living by hind, filth of hinduism, denial of truth absolute.
You are another moron who has never set foot in this region and has CNN and Fox as his only source of information.
Pakistan has been running an active Polio vaccine for the last so many decades and has never denied vaccination to any child based on the false assumptions you have made. It were the Taliban who have stopped the vaccination campaign in some parts of the country citing YOUR illegal drone attacks as a reason.
@Face @Pakistani alert... Since when you are a "virtual border Patrol Agents"? you are just ridiculous! suck it up boys! learn to live in a globalized world, if you can't, then go and hide under the rock you came from in the first place...gosh! a couple of trolls talking about other trolls...and, for globalization, you can go and thank the many transnational based and financed by capital based in the U.S. So, if you do not like globalization and you are born in America then thought luck pals..suck it up!
Perhaps you could offer your excellent advice to your own country, Pakistan, to get out of the stone age and step into the modern times. Please stop oppression of women, children, and minorities. Pakistani ways are completely unacceptable in this globalized world. Perhaps we could send Mr. Sarkozy from his retirement to Pakistan, where he could ban oppressive muslim clothing and veils for women. He could contribute a lot to Pakistan's modernization.
ARE INDIANS UBER TERRORISTS OR WHAT???? Forget the GDP, focus on these murder statistics.
In India, millions of girls are strangled, slowly starved or simply tossed in the trash. Moreover, in India, at least 1,370 girls are aborted every day. As a comparison, some 250 Indians die every day in road accidents. Terrorists killed about six people, on an average, every day in 2009. In the last two decades of economic progress, 10 million girls have died as such in India.
SHAME ON INDIA AND ITS BARBARIC AND MEDIEVAL CULTURE !!!
Indians have killed more human beings (girls particularly) than Al Qaeda and Talibans put together.
Another Indian troll i guess!
You can eat your heart out but Pakistan is surviving with new advances in Science, Arts, Culture and Sports every year. I suggest you focus on the infanticide in India ( largest in the World), killing of brides for dowry ( Again the largest number in the World) and having one of the largest homeless population on Planet Earth.
where did the article on the history of gun laws in america disappear to?!!! Did the NRA tell you to remove it? Why is that not completely relevant news?!! Im so disappointed that you would move the only factual report on the history of gun laws I have seen in a long time. This is poor journalism if you took it down due to advertisers! You are not doing your duty as the 4th estate. maybe why cnn ratings continue to sink. This is highly disappointing. Fareed, you should raise hell with the editors
The mention of Iraq war being OK in comparison to the short-lived Libyan liberation mission because Bush had congressional support is incredibly silly. What that's saying is that selfishly lying and fooling our government and the general public into supporting a war that caused a decade of mayhem in the region, trillions of dollars, possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, and the lives of thousands of courageous American soldiers and the terrible suffering caused to their families while doing little or no good beyond removing Saddam from power is BETTER THAN Obama's crucial time-delicate decision to stop what was at the time constant suffering of the Libyan people with minimal cost and minimal loss of life?? Saddam was a terrible human being and there is no question about that, but Iraq war was a COMPLETE disaster and should have never taken place. The Libyan mission was a quick, cheap success and the mission minimized the loss of life on all sides. This comparison makes little to no sense. Simply because Bush had ill-earned support does not make Iraq in any way shape or form OK. The fact that the people trusted Bush was not their fault either as trust is automatically implied to the leader of our country. Perhaps in our world this trust should not be automatically implied but we cannot dispute the information provided by our leaders. Anyone knocking liberals, conservatives, democrats or republicans should rethink their values and individualize theirs and others opinions rather than grouping themselves and others into these categories. Proper real world decisions will rarely be found with this limited way of thinking.
No matter how noble you believe the goal was in Libya, President Obama broke American law to achieve it and it is debatable that he violated the UN Resolution as well, which only called for protecting civilians, not for removing Gaddafi.
I'm not so sure that he broke any US laws or UN resolutions. Which law did he break? He exerted his power as the President of the USA and leader of our military. Also, Americans did not remove Ghaddafi, the Libyans did. I'm also not so sure how well protected the Libyan people would have been as long as Ghaddafi remained in power.
Let us focus on the causes of terrorism and try to fix the issues. They have been hanging out there for over 60 years ...Palestine..Kashmir. Let us focus on the victims of 9/11 and help the families more than we have done. Let us take care of their kids and put them through college. Let us take care of their wives/husbands/parents. Let us take care of over 200,000+ families whose dear ones gave their lives in Pakistan fighting this terror war. Let us focus on the victims in Afghanistan. They are so many. This is what a softer gentler world is all about.
The way to solve Kashmir is to nuke India. I am sick of hearing this problem not being solved yet.
The US will step off the world stage, the NWO and EU will step centre stage... Then it gets interesting.
IIn other words they want our money, but we should keep out mouths shut. Obama goes them one better. He seems to want to pay them to kiss their butts.
Lovely.
Let's face it. The only reason the U.S. has gotten involved in many other countries, soft or hard, is for business interests. I love business, but now that ALL of our business interests are in OTHER countries, we no longer produce anything domestically. We could stand to retreat a little from our global interests and bring some of that back to U.S. soil. I hardly think we'll become complete isolationists overnight.
I think We should focus on being softer in the world and worry about the homeland first ~ Corn prices are skyrocketing. Wait until most of Africa has nothing to eat ~ America will be the bad guys when we arent dumping food aid by the ton all over the world.
Let's spread our culture of loving guns to reduce our role of international policing. According to NRA supporters, putting guns in the hands of citizens will eliminate crimes.
In the same spirit, if every country has their own nuclear weapons, the world would be very peaceful.
Everyone having nuclear weapons would work only if everyone used them to deter others from attacking-a level playing field. The problem lies with those countries who would use their nuclear weapons to attack others regardless of any peaceful intentions. At this point, the theocracy of Iran wants to attack Israel as they have stated multiple times, even though Israel has not attacked Iran, and, consequently, Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Trust and respect is earned and historically any country that has tried to bully others have been brought down, i.e.Germany, USSR, Iran.
Elect a Republican President and our respect around the world will drop like a lead balloon again. The last Republican President murdered over 200,000 Iraqis for no reason based off of premeditated fabricated lies. How did America respond once we found out that it was all a big lie? We made a banner saying "Mission Accomplished" and went on to re-elect Bush to another term so he could double the debt and destroy our economy.
Did Republicans care that he lied and murdered hundreds of thousands of people intentionally? Nope.
Did they care that he doubled the debt? Nope.
Did they care that he destroyed our economy before he left? Nope.
45,000 Americans die every year in the US becausethey didn't have health insurance. That's 450,000 dead Americans since 9/11 that might have been saved if they had insurance. Do Republicans care? Nope.
Now Obama is President. Do Republicans still not care? Now they want to impeach Obama because a Cartel member killed a Border Patrol agent with a gun used in a sting. Now the care about the debt and it's all Obama's fault. Now they care about the economy and it's all Obama's fault. Do they care about Americans dying in America now? No, they still don't care unless it's a baby fetus then they want to do everything in their power to save it at any cost. As soon as it is born they couldn't care less if it dies or not.
I think the main reason people around the world are worried about how much power we have, is because so many Americans demonstrate a complete loss of touch with reality when it comes to the REALITY foreign affairs. This set of comments is right up there.
The REALITY is that no matter how hard we try, people in other countries will always find a reason to say we need to be "fixed" somehow, and then tell us how.
They don't like it when we do it to them, and we like it just as little when they do it to us.
Money is the only objective thing all peoples can agree on, and work together on, as a common point of interest. Alexander Hamilton had it dead-on. Money IS all that matters, because it is the ONLY thing EVERYONE has in common.
People don't like us because we have a lot of money. But....has anyone checked to see who is, BY FAR, the largest contributor to charities and enablement programs around the world, ESPECIALLY when you factor in the private sector contributions? No one else even comes close.
That would be the awful, and ugly, U.S. of A. I wonder what would happen if we supplied the world with "Soft Power", and stopped sending so much money everywhere? Surely that would fix our international image, and EVERYONE would be happy with us, AND, we could keep that money at home. I like it!
What people want, is for us to keep giving them money, and protecting them from their enemies, but to only use "Soft Power" so as not to upset anyone, even if they are murderous, tyrannical, psychopaths who murder their own citizens en-masse, and terrorize their neighbors. Sorely they, above all others, will respond quickly to "Soft Power", and all will be well in "Fairyland". But we don't live in Fairyland, we live in the real world. Everyone else should take a reality check before saying they only want us to use "Soft power".
Soft power? BS. They want hard currency.
al-zawhari and nazrallah are still walking around...
HERE IS THE BEEF !!
THE ECONOMIC SUBJUGATION OF INDIA & The Taming of Hindus!!!
The one most successful aspect of recent American foreign policy has been the conquest of India without firing a bullet. That is the beauty of capitalism used as a Trojan Horse! Economic victory! Give them a taste of steak and they will never settle for hamburgers again. USA now owns India Inc. not only economically but also militarily as economic subjugation ultimately leads to military domination.
You are a Pakistani TROLL who heaps on the hate for India every chance you get.
Why dont you debate the issue instead of emotional outbursts. India is a hump-ty dumpty that broke.
@nate, and you call what you just typed "debate"?
A hindu, ignorant is a hindu gentile, filthy slave by faith, borne in hind, filth of hinduism, racism, lives in hind, gutter of hinduism, racism and dies in hind, filth of hinduism, racism, hope less hindu gentile's slaves by hindu, ignorant faith.
This is why we should of took George Washington's Advice.
THE SOFTER GENTLER PAKISTAN>>>>>
PAKISTAN !!!!
THANK YOU …. THANK YOU…. THANK YOU!!!!
FOR MAKING USA SAFE FOR MAKING THE WORLD SAFE>>>>>>>>>>>>
Since Sep 11, 2001, over 200,000 Pakistani civilians, armed forces personnel have either sacrificed their lives or wounded; more than 3.5 million have been displaced while the country has lost over
US $ 1 Trillion due to terrorism.
Despite sacrifices, Pakistan was still engaged in 'the war for world peace”.
No other country has even come close to selflessly sacrificing so much.
Pakistan, no one can ever repay you enough for your contributions.
You deserve a permanent seat in the UN Security Council for your contributions to world peace and emergence of a new world order. We welcome your rise as the new regional military power. God Speed.
Thank you for denying Polio vaccine to kids?
Bizarre Health Rituals in India Show Dangerous Side of Tradition
In what has got to be on of the most vile and disturbing things ever put to print, a man in eastern India was arrested for his unconventional and downright insane method of curing the common cold in children.
50-year old Jamun Yadav, who considers himself to be a demigod of the Hindu faith, believes he can channel and transfer divine energy through his feet, which has lead to him standing on the necks and throats of young children suffering from your average run-of-the-mill cold.
When asked about them, the guru claimed that he was merely speaking for God, and as such needs no other defense.
It serves as a grim reminder of the dangerous religious traditions observed by many Hindus in India, many of which are done so for the health of their children. One such ritual involves throwing infants off of a fifty foot tower, a tradition thought to bring good health and luck to the child throughout his or her life.
The children are tossed from the tower onto a tightly stretched sheet below, where they are then handed to their mothers. This bizarre and dangerous ritual has been practiced for 500 years.
Also, thank you for being a safe haven for terrorists and radical islam.
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
To address India's problems, one has to start with the basic premise that "small is beautiful: and that India has become unmanageable in size. At times, the sum of parts is greater than the whole. And that is precisely where India needs to head. A controlled breakup of sorts.
hindered swamp of hinduism, illegality labeled as india had never been a country as such, but independent states united in common goal, today's, hinduism,, illegality is hinduism, terrorism of upper class hindu's, criminals to hind, rob and steal on greater level. it should be broken down to their old boundaries for people to free themselves from hinduism, racism and plundering of minorities.
President Obama's efforts to reduce terrorists in Pakistan may appear to be a hard approach, whereas in reality it is based on a sound policy and has a touch of thoughtfulness and softness to minimize civilian casualties as much as possible. CNN's Pete Bergen wrote an excellent piece on it a few weeks ago.
Let's use a softer approach to drone these punks.... Nuke 'em !!
TERRORIST GROUPS IN INDIA
• RASHTRIYA SWAYAM SEWAK SHANG (R.S.S.)
• VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD
• HINDU MUNNANI
• ARYA SAMAJ
• SHIV SENA
• BHARATIYA JANATA PARISHAD
• SANT SAMITI
• HINDU MAHASABHA
• BAAJRANG DAL
Why hasn't US taken care of these hindu terrorists yet?
Soft and hard power? I don't know, but blood is probably not welcome. Modern wars are economic ones, following economic interest and supporting certain groups and lobbies. This is a much subtle strategy and can be offered with a smart face. Trying to lead, to show transperancy and be in a way "calculated," some people think that is a form of "weakness," a person isn't 'though,' if he talks too much and shows only his muscles, instead of using them. But to look behind, if "rhetorics" and action fit together, many people don't want. People should have a closer look and ask, who is benefiting from political decisions? It's often enough, if it is only their own interest So even Mr. Eastwood is supporting Republicans, was written in some German newspapers, because he doesn't see that his possession of a valley isn't nothing that serves the nation. There are so many people owning a wast property. He doesn't see that the Republican party was blocking many things, which Obama could have changed. Probably it is too much for an old man..
And I'm wondering if blood isn't welcome, why we not at least send some medical help to Syria...
cultural influence..India , China..America
In India people are dying of hunger. Why are these low caste Hindus prohibited from eating beef? In India cow meat is cheaper than other available meats. Instead of these Brahmins taking care of the low caste peoples of India they are doing their best to save their “holy” cows. According to Valmith’s Ramayana, God Rama “ATE” meat. Why then have these Brahmins given up beef-eating? Come on guys, feed the low caste in India with some steaks !!!
Mahatma Gandhi and Jerry Sandusky: Strange Bedfellows
What do these two have in common???? Terrorizing boys !!!! Shame. Let us bring their memories down and their legacies trashed. Let us knock their statues down and their thoughts erased.
"SATI" – HINDU WIDOW BURNING!
If the Hindu man's wife dies, he is free to go and find another beautiful woman when he wants. But if the Hindu woman's husband dies, not only is she prohibited to remarry but she should be cremated along with her dead husband ("Sati").
Wonder why is America keeping quiet when muslims are being massacred in Assam, India? Certainly not a softer way...what say you? Perhaps a separate state for muslims in India.
It's called Pakistan dimwit.
Some day India will become part of Pakistan but for right now the discussion is about India only. So care to comment or is your IQ level too low to say something intelligent....let's say - how about your Bapu Gandhi's lust for underage boys???
Hundreds of muslims have been slaughtered in Mumbai. Time for muslims to rise and fight for their rights in India. Apparently, scores of muslims have been killed in Assam, India.
Wonder if Obama is flying down to Mumbai to attend the funeral of these muslims killed by hindu terrorists in Mumbai, India. Just thinkin....
Its very unlikely to see Mitt Romney's soft power approach, especially when he recently said, words to the effect, that America must 'be tough and he wants the world to respect USA for its toughness.
Which makes me speculate that some Republicans are already planning a war somewhere to give notice that the new administration (if) means business and want's the world's respect particularly from Russia and China.
I am looking at all angles and possibilities of where America would start a war, and my conclusion is: Iran. Iran is a weakened target (economically), and it would be a walkover war just like US invasion of Iraq was (never mind the fact they knew there never any WMD in Iraq).
So, no way President Mitt Romney (President? OMG!) will ever use soft power. He is hawkish to the core, cant you see it?
Oh, a bunch of defence contractors are crying for a war somewhere, anywhere. They are employing hundreds of thousands of workers and if the next President goes soft with the world, that means no war which means thousands of defence workers may be retrenched..
So, the next President will have to be a hawkish president, fix a war somewhere. Its the only way I think for Mitt Romney to solve the unemployment crisis in USA,. No need to tax the rich, let a war or wars resolve America's impossible Government debts (thanks to Bush Jr) which should be US$17 trillion in 2013 and 25 trillion by 2020.
By the way, that was how US came out of the 1930's wall street induced depression. The depression continued for 10 years without any resolution until USA finally decided to go to war, because massive foreign orders were flowing in copiously for American weapons and miltary hardware – fattening Americas pockets, increasing its GDP , and importantly erasing US debts like magic.
Need I go on to talk about the Vietnam war ... ??
I think people would support the drone program more if we blew up less funerals, children, and other civilians with them.
Why is America policing the world, when it cant even provide a better police system for its own homeland, to the extent that people feel unsafe and want to hold on to the guns and liberal gun laws .. why ?
A million muslims have been displaced in India and scores massacred in ethnic cleansing. Wonder where America is. Hmmmmm. America, the champion of human rights !
America should follow India's lead on this problem. Muslim terrorists are a menace everywhere for innocent peace loving people.
Agreed. Americans have followed your suggestion and taken care of Indians in Wisconsin. Keep on looking over your shoulder. They are a comin for ya and will hunt ya down.
Agreed. Americans have followed your suggestion and taken care of Indian immigrants/terrorists in Wisconsin. Keep on looking over your shoulder.
The US has used soft power in all situations except when dealing with terrorists where hard power is justified.
America is becoming redudant therefore hard boiled egg or soft is irrelevant. The world is preparing for a new leader in China that Americans will get a rude awakening if and when they do wake up. Meanwhile the american polticians have the populace too indulged in recessionary malaise and democratic exercises to see the big picture...they are in the weeds.
Hard or soft, whatever works against the Islamic terrorists. Somebody has to keep the world safe by whatever means necessary or else all non-muslims will be terrorized by the Islamists. It is global leadership. America is the largest charitable nation - Americans spend the most compared to anyone else in the world and keep the rest of the world safe from Islamic terrorism.
INDIA: S@X WITH COWS
In many Hindu temples there are sculptures depicting men having s@x not only with women but also cows. What is the meaning of this? Is not the cow sacred? If it is, then it should be worshipped not s@xually assaulted!
What do you expect from a hindu, ignorant, their hindu filthy way is true face of their hinduism, absurdity, practiced as some thing of holy nature.
We have invested a lot of resources in India over the past two decades and given a lot of aid to prop it up. There has been no investment on this return. Instead India has squandered all the resources in building nuclear weapons while poverty remains rampant in the country. We need to revisit our relationship with India. American taxpayers will not tolerate this anymore. We need to take care of our own populace going forward. We cannot be exporting jobs to India or giving it financial or technical handouts.It has become too big to govern or create any value for western countries or even for its own population. India needs to be carved up into smaller independent states to be a viable economically and geo politically.
India has become the hotbed of extremism. Hindu groups are terrorising Christians and Jews in India not to mention Muslims. These groups have global reach and have inspired the Norway massacres per CNN. Some of the white supremacist groups in USA are also taking their cues from these groups as per recent media publications.
Word hindu drives from Latin word hindrance, negativity, Hun, great, Han, to be in greatness, hin, to be negative to both of them, hindu, a noun in negativity, hinduism, way of negativity. Their Hinduism speaks for it self.,
There are two main issues triggering freedom fighting (aka terrorism in these contexts) in the world. Palestine and Indian Occupied Kashmir issues. Till these problems are solved the world will reel in unrest. take that to the bank. Now, terrorism is what the hindus are doing....to the Christians in Goa, India. To the Muslims all over India. To the Jews as well. Now whether it is a hard boiled egg approach or soft boiled, Americans need to address this. So far they have been conveniently sleeping. Now what Israel is doing is another chapter and will be addressed later.
Is it live? Or is it plagiarism???
Oh come on, American Congress knew the Afghan war is both impossible and costly to win ovenight, and involvement will be a long drawn one . Why do you think the French left after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Talibans and Afghans?
Only the American Congress and their billionaire croonies who own the defence industries supported US involvement in Afghanistan. War is music to these rich and wealthy Americans.
They expected heavy American soldiers casualties in Afghanistan – but its a good sacrifice because its saving and creating alot of jobs back home.
We are the most people-friendly empire in the history of people. That's american exceptionalism!
"America’s stature on the world stage has suffered during President Barack Obama’s time in the White House.." Romney
WHY? Because there has not been as much U.S flag burning around the world since Obama came to office? Or because he did not start another fake WMD war? Please explain Romney!
How about campaigning on honesty?! Talking about honesty, there is countless YouTube videos showing you switching positions on issues from one campaign stand to another? Who/what are you Mr. Romney?
Your comment has no connection to the story. What are you talking about??? Please take your medication, scatterbrain.
IF... If you [Americans] do the stupid thing and vote Obama out, who are you going to blame all your problems on?
Are you going to trust a millionaire of questionable character?
A man who will eliminate abortion, and make all women second-class citizens?
A man who has never been "one of you – a common working guy?
No, Obama is not perfect. But he is the least objectionable politician in your arena.
This utter leadership everybody is taking of is not considered Obama's but th illuminatis u will die every body!
Does US have any Hardpower left ? Like otherday Putin was telling that ' Russia is not a country to be messed with.'
How about China claiming all over South China Sea and established a Naval base on an Island with 1000 people.
So Should not BUSH-Cheny cronies should show HARDPOWER. Is there any Hardpower left anymore ?
I am a useless piece of camel dung. I post anti American, anti GB, anti semite, anti India, anti modern anything because I am a good moooooslem. I steal people's monikers because I am so ashamed of myself and post the most stupid comment. When people get angry with me, I claim insanity. I am the same guy.