Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US Military Showing Softer Side

Greater emphasis on humanitarian operations seen by some as 'out of whack'

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:08 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Despite recent focus on shooting wars, the Defense Department has tweaked the core mission of US armed forces to promote “soft power,” such as humanitarian aid, the Boston Globe reports. Some civilian onlookers say the foreign policy is “out of whack,” and “too dominated by the military.” One Pacific commander says his job, “more often than not,” is to provide aid.

“If there is not an earthquake a day going on, there is certainly a volcano erupting,” the Air Force officer said. “There are landslides in the Philippines, floods in Vietnam and Burma.” He had no doubt that his airmen were up to the task. “Those skills that we use to go to battle are easily transferable in many cases.”

An Afghan boy carries humanitarian aid he received from the Afghan National Army as a US soldier stands guard.
An Afghan boy carries humanitarian aid he received from the Afghan National Army as a US soldier stands guard.   (AP Photo)
The USS Essex standing by off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
The USS Essex standing by off the coast of Burma in support of Joint Task Force Caring Response, a humanitarian assistance operation developed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.   (AP Photo)
A Navy doctor and members of a fleet surgical team examine a Bangladeshi child during a humanitarian aid mission.
A Navy doctor and members of a fleet surgical team examine a Bangladeshi child during a humanitarian aid mission.   (AP Photo)
A U.S soldier shakes hands wit an Iraqi girl as residents await humanitarian aid to be distributed.
A U.S soldier shakes hands wit an Iraqi girl as residents await humanitarian aid to be distributed.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Soft power ascendant, on the ground in Iraq
Associated Press

A review of a book by Joseph Nye, who coined the term "soft power"
Futurecasts

Soft power in Zimbabwe?
International Herald Tribune

US • World

 
Department of Defense • US military aid • disaster zones • medical care • humanitarian aid • international aid • soft power

More Newser Stories

US Can't Be Sure Pakistan's $5.6B Went to Fight Terror

Analysts Urge Washington to Invade Burma
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne