Forget Hearts and Minds
Soft power is out; sharp power is in. Here's how to win the new influence wars.
The Rise and Fall of Soft Power
Joseph Nye’s concept lost relevance, but China could bring it back.
Bullies Don’t Win at Diplomacy
President Donald Trump is learning that, just because the United States is powerful, that doesn’t mean it can push other countries around.
Tech Companies Are Ruining America’s Image
The United States has become identified with the global internet economy — for better and worse.
There’s No Happy Ending for Rex Tillerson
The secretary of state has held on for a year, but it’s too late for his tenure to end well.
How a Girl Band May Unify Korea
How to solve the Korean crisis through the power of kitschy, hyperpatriotic pop music.
Trump Is the Worst Salesman America Has Ever Had
The United States is more unpopular than ever before, and that’s no accident.
![CORRECTION - US President Donald Trump (C), President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron walk to the Hotel San Domenico during the Summit of the Heads of State and of Government of the G7, the group of most industrialized economies, plus the European Union, on May 26, 2017 in Sicily.
The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the US and Italy will be joined by representatives of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as teams from Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria and Tunisia during the summit from May 26 to 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [President of the European Council Donald Tusk] instead of [President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)](https://foreignpolicymag.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/gettyimages-688661076.jpg?w=960&h=460&crop=0,0,270,0)
America’s Not First. It’s Third.
The United States slips behind France and the U.K. in this year’s soft-power ranking.
China’s Continent-Spanning Trains Are Running Half-Empty
Beijing's funding dozens of new rail routes as part of its global ambitions — and losing money on every one. So what's the long game?
American Universities Are Welcoming China’s Trojan Horse
A growing number of Confucius Institutes are importing Chinese censorship into U.S. campuses.
To Save the State Department, Rex Tillerson May Have to Break It
Bad habits and stale thinking have subordinated Foggy Bottom to the Pentagon and NSC. Here’s what needs to change.
Don’t Gut America’s Voice and Turn It into Propaganda
The United States’ international broadcasters work because they produce real journalism, not government spin. That could change — just in time for Trump.
Killing the Islamic State Softly
Military power will win battles in Syria and Iraq, but only soft power can win the war.
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
The United States’ best soft-power tool is an obscure government program you’ve never heard of. Does it still have a future?
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