To Make Smart Power Work, Get the State Department in the Fight

January 16, 2009 | Tom Vogel

By Rep. Mac Thornberry
Special to Roll Call
January 16, 2009, 2:38 p.m.

Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton’s pledges to get the State Department “firing on all cylinders” and to renew U.S. leadership through a “smart power” mix of diplomacy and defense were welcome beginnings to her tenure as America’s top diplomat.

As a member of the Smart Power Commission, sponsored by the Center for Strategic International Studies, I worked with Republicans and Democrats with wide experience in and out of government to develop a vision, and some specific recommendations, on how smart power might help us meet the national security challenges of the 21st century.

Smart power refers to the effective integration of hard power, such as military and economic actions, with soft power, which involves methods of persuasion and includes things like culture and diplomacy, in order to achieve national objectives. We found more common ground than most would expect.

Our report, “A Smarter, More Secure America” was adopted unanimously — no easy task in today’s environment. The commissioners recognized that America’s standing in the world has suffered in recent times and that effective influence in today’s world can depend on image and inspiration as much as military strength.

By our definition, smart power recognizes that the United States needs both — and the good sense to know when and how to use them together.

We agreed that five key areas need attention: alliances and institutions, international development, public diplomacy, economic integration and innovation.

Implementing a smart power strategy and getting action in the five key areas will require an unprecedented level of interagency cooperation, particularly between State, the Department of Defense and the intelligence agencies. That takes more than warm words from the new secretary of State; making smart power work will take a commitment from the new president to knock heads together if necessary to get Cabinet members to check turf and egos at the door.

While the new secretary of State can’t implement a smart power strategy on her own, as our chief diplomat she can do a lot to make it easier for smart power to work.