US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton gave a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations today in which she made the term'Smart Power' the centrepiece of US Foreign Policy.
'Smart Power' includes 'intelligent use of all means at our disposal including economic and military and the application of old-fashioned common sense in policymaking'. I would urge caution using the term common sense as everyone really knows it is not that common especially in politics and policy.
Basically 'Smart Power' means talking to those who think differently from you. This is a veiled hint at Iran and North Korea. But later the speech states that with regard to Iran the door will not remain open indefinitely. It also mean working in partnership with other countries to achieve common goals such as nuclear non-proliferation, counter terrorism, peace in the Middle East, human rights, energy security, climate change and economic prosperity.I suppose this makes sense given the global economic downturn creating the reality that the US cannot afford to go it alone but of course it will be in the lead. Partnership seems also to be key as there will be efforts to bring NGOs and individuals on board for certain policy options.
The countries who will be receiving attention over the next while appear to be (no surprises) India, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran,Middle East, Haiti, Africa, Pakistan and of course Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes NI is no longer centre of the universe but perhaps there would be an opportunity for a visit on one of the journeys to and from?
CFR.org - A Conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (Video)
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