Do we need soft power? What is soft power? While the academic concept can be refined further, Joseph Nye developed this idea to explain that beyond hard power (military might and money), our reputation and culture matter. Soft power makes American power even greater – you could call it a force amplifier.
If you want people to do something, you can force them, but that depends on how much power you have, and they’ll be reluctant. However, if you can convince them to work with you because they respect you, see it’s in their interest, and appreciate your track record of seeking win-win scenarios rather than zero-sum outcomes, you’re much stronger. Force and threats only get you so far – they ultimately turn people against you.
Regarding President Trump – while I don’t know what’s in his head, and maybe this is all a clever negotiation strategy to get Europe to spend more or get Zelenskyy to sign a rare earth deal – even with this generous assumption, this strategy is hurting America and the West. It makes us all look foolish. As a German-American citizen, I feel personally implicated.
Every American is now assumed to be in Putin’s corner – and Putin is clearly a fascist. What does this make America? Putin pretends to now love America, but he doesn’t. I’ve explained elsewhere what Ukraine is about. Ukraine and Europe are our greatest allies. Damaging our relationships with these close allies is a horrifying idea. Even if it’s some clever plot, it comes at a heavy price.
I’m not politically aligned with any party – Democrat, Republican, independent, MAGA – it’s not my business. But this situation now makes it everyone’s business. Even if you’re Republican or pro-MAGA, I have no issue with making America great again, but sacrificing our soft power doesn’t make us great – it hurts us and our allies.
We may be strong as the United States, but cannot go this alone. Globally, Putin leads a dwindling country and has weakened his position through this war, but he also leads a global coalition of destabilization, disinformation and pro-autocracy messaging. We need to see this through with minimal Ukrainian casualties. Russia must be punished so it can improve after Putin. This is our mission – Ukraine must win, regain all territories, receive reparations, and Putin’s leadership must face consequences. That’s what we did with Hitler.
I’m here as a German-American because of American strength in World Wars I and II and the Cold War. Coming from East Germany, I’m thankful for American strength against the Soviet Union. It’s a mistake to show weakness now or listen to Russian lies and distortion. Zelenskyy hasn’t held elections because Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law – how can you hold elections when 20% of the country is occupied and Russian propaganda is influencing even us?
Should we charge Ukraine for our help? Really? Consider the damage to our reputation. I know President Trump doesn’t like admitting mistakes, but he could say he tried negotiating, and now needs to strongly support Ukraine. We need to push him gently in that direction. If we can’t, we at least need to ensure we’re not supporting this position.
Future generations will ask how we could support this. We must speak out against Vladimir Putin, a brutal dictator who annexes territory, conducts mass atrocities, and pretends to want peace while bombing Ukraine, which did nothing to provoke him. Ukraine is only defending itself because Russia attacked.
Since when do we side with oppressors instead of the oppressed? Every American movie about justice, from High Noon to Captain America to Star Wars, is about siding with the good guys against the bad guys. If I’m confused, you probably are too. Dare to admit it. You have your own mind, opinions, and interests. What’s happening needs to stop. We must show where we stand – for justice, freedom, and democracy, and against tyranny.
Ceterum censeo Ucrainam esse defendam. Слава Україні!
[This was originally posted to YouTube as a video. This post is a slightly abbreviated transcript, preserving the oral style of the video.]
Erratic Attempts 