Stories of Smart Power: Major Jon Heavey
By Andy Amsler at 9 July, 2010, 9:48 am
Major Jon Heavey, MD, (Ret)
History has demonstrated that the greatest strength any man can show is compassion to his enemies. Not weakness, but compassion. Not appeasement, but compassion. Diplomacy and development are compassion in action. Diplomacy and development are the greatest extension of strength that our military could ever have. They are what define us as a nation. They are what define us as soldiers.
Every physician understands the power of healing and every soldier, whether he wishes to or not, comes to understand the power of destruction. In my experience, healing is as powerful a tool as any bullet or weapon known to man. It is crucial that our men and women in uniform be able to harness that kind of power through full partnerships with our civilian diplomatic and development agencies. Diplomacy, development, and defense are inseparable in our efforts. They hold the key to empowering our foreign policies, and more importantly, they hold the key to fostering decency in mankind.
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