US 'Soft Power' Collapses, But Not The Hard Financial Power
Al Jazeera's 'Centre Stage' highlights the erosion of US soft power, drawing parallels to the 1930s. A fine analysis, if a tad late for anyone paying attention. What they often sidestep is the ironclad financial commitment that remains, seemingly immune to any 'collapse.' For example, the Biden administration recently approved another $14 billion in military aid to Israel, despite mounting
international condemnation of its actions in Gaza, following bipartisan support for HR 815. This isn't soft power; it's a very hard transfer of taxpayer funds, regardless of optics. One might wonder if 'soft power' is even relevant when the US Congress, historically, continues to funnel billions in military aid. According to OpenSecrets.org, pro-Israel lobbying groups, including AIPAC, invested
over $35 million in the 2022 election cycle alone. Perhaps the 'collapse of American soft power' is less a mystery and more a feature of a foreign policy bought and paid for. How much 'soft power' does one need when you can simply cut checks?