Soft Power Still Counts
Near the end of an interesting article about Russia's unpopularity among its neighboring countries, Ellen Barry explains the nub of the problem:
Herein lies the problem: Russia's appeal to them just does not sound very seductive. Ideally, it would present an attractive model for its neighbors, politically and economically. Young generations would learn Russian because they wanted to, and the post-Soviet alliances would be clubs its neighbors are lining up to join.
In political science parlance, this is called 'soft power', and is a power well-worth remembering by present and future great powers.
Consider the question of Iran. American neo-conservatives have predictably bleated on about how the US and Obama, needed to 'do' something to assist the demonstrators.
What they fail to realize, time and again, is that any American military action against Iran would unite the country against us and dampen any possible spirit of political pluralism in the country.
Iranians are often cited as having the most pro-American population in the Middle East. If this is true, then our popularity assuredly stems not from our belligerence but rather the relative openness of our political system and our cultural vibrance.
Fortunately, Obama seems to understand this- hence his caution during recent events. Being a bully- as Russia is finding out- doesn't pay off.
