Five arguments for U.S. ‘hard power’

PostOpinions contributor Robert Kagan says that while “soft” and “smart” power may be in vogue, there’s a danger in forgetting the importance of U.S. military power.

5 Seconds

00:00

The world’s free trade, free market economy has depended on America’s ability to keep trade routes open. In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis transits the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has threatened to blockade the strategic waterway, but the U.S. Navy has said it will not allow that to happen.

MC3 Kenneth Abbate / AP

The spread of democracy around the world owes something to America’s ability to provide support to democratic forces under siege and to protect peoples from dictators like Muammar Qaddafi. Here, doctors working at a hospital in the Libyan town of Benghazi join other protestors in calling for a no fly zone in March 2011.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Many nations rely on the United States for security against threatening neighbors. In this photo, a U.S. soldier from the 2nd Infantry Division wearing gas mask and anti-chemical gears participates in a U.S. and South Korea joint military drill.

Lee Jin-man / AP

Soft power has its limits. President John F. Kennedy found his global popularity of no use in confrontations with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

If the United States were to cut too deeply into its ability to project military power, other nations would lay claim to spheres of influence. Where power claims overlap, as with China's and India's claims of influence in the Indian Ocean, conflict might ensue. In this image, a Tibetan exile stomps on burning posters showing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a protest against his visit to India, in New Delhi.

Kevin Frayer / AP

Featured Photo Galleries

Toronto Blue Jays' Yunel Escobar is forced out at second base by Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, in Toronto. Chicago won 7-2. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim)

MLB power rankings

Dave Sheinin evaluates the best teams in Major League Baseball. (All stats/records through Thursday)

A mural of Albert Einstein decorates a school's wall where a woman talks on the phone in the Complexo de Alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Putin protest, South African police shoot miners, a silicone-based robot and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Gov. Ronald Reagan of California, temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention, turns the gavel over to the permanent chairman, Rep. Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, at the session in Miami Beach, Florida on Tuesday, August 22, 1972. (AP Photo)

A look at past Republican National Conventions

From 1940’s controversial nomination of Wendell Willkie and 1952’s bitter feud between Dwight Eisenhower and Robert A. Taft to Alf...

Singer Mary Wilson, a founding member of the Motown female singing group The Supremes, arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new film 'Sparkle' starring Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston in Hollywood August 16, 2012. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Mary Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Nighy, John Malkovich and other celebrities.

An unidentified woman protests against the police near a shooting scene at the Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012. Police chief Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega says 34 miners died and another 78 were wounded when police opened fire on strikers in one of the worst police shootings in South Africa since apartheid. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Striking miners shot, killed in South Africa

In one of the worst shootings by South African authorities since the end of the apartheid era, police opened fire Thursday on striking miners...

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.