Is "Soft Power" Really So Soft?

Is "Soft Power" Really So Soft?

From American Diplomat by Ambassador (Retired) Pete Romero and Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

March 12, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the effectiveness of soft power in achieving US objectives overseas, featuring insights from US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella.

US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella helps us understand why support for democracy and public health achieves the same objectives as "hard power": using our influence to advance US objectives overseas. For the cost of one aircraft on one aircraft carrier, we can save hundreds of thousands of lives. And what is the benefit to us? And who is Kennedy Mweene, anyway?

People in this episode

Hosts: Pete Romero, Laura Bennett

Guest: Mark Storella

Topics covered

  • soft power
  • hard power
  • democracy
  • public health
  • US foreign policy

Keywords

  • soft power
  • hard power
  • democracy
  • public health
  • US objectives
  • Zambia
  • Mark Storella

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US

Places: Zambia

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