U.S. extends soft power with relief effort |Admin01 One of Navys largest vessels leading typhoon relief effort As an expression of hard power, they dont come bigger or more fearsome than the USS George Washington. The U.S. Navys nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can base as many as 75 warplanes, has a combat load of 97,000 tons and is manned by 6,250 battle-ready crew. But as an expression of soft-power, the Nimitz-class carrier is finding its influence in its Asian theater of operations goes far beyond the range of its fearsome arsenal as it assists the Typhoon Haiyan relief operation -- known as Operation Damayan -- in the Philippines. Equipped with everything from a 51-bed hospital ward and an operating theater to dentists surgeries, according to Janes Defense, the USS George Washington is leading a flotilla of U.S. Navy support vessels in support of the effort. The projection of U.S. power on the world stage, especially in the context of a humanitarian disaster such as Haiyan, represents a public relations goldmine for the U.S. military, at a time when the U.S. is perceived as losing influence in the region to China. It may not be the only navy helping in the aftermath of the disaster -- Britain and Australia have both committed vessels to the relief effort -- but considering the Washingtons traditional links with the Philippines as a former colony (and for many decades one of its most important strategic bases) the relief effort has a special resonance. The U.S. extending its soft power in the region as well as directing the relief operation are not contradictory objectives, Philippine political analyst Ramon Casiple told CNN. The Philippines and the U.S., of course, have a long history so there is an expectation that they would help because theyve helped in previous chapters in our history. He said even the region that is the focus of the relief effort -- eastern Leyte province -- has special meaning for the U.S.-Philippines relationship. This is the area where General MacArthurs forces landed during World War II when he fulfilled the promise of returning to the Philippines after ousting the Japanese. But while theres an expectation, there is also a gratefulness for this help. Criticism has been leveled at China for its ham-fisted handling of its relief contribution, initially pledging $100,000 in humanitarian support. Although it later raised the amount to $1.6 million, analysts have said that it has allowed its spat with the Philippines over the Spratly Islands -- claimed severally by Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Vietnam -- to cloud its judgment. The donation, which does not meet even that of furniture store, Ikea, which has pledged $2.7 million through its charitable foundations, has dented its global image at a time when American influence is seen as declining in the region as China steps into the breach. Analysts say China has missed an opportunity to win hearts and minds though non-traditional forms of diplomacy of which the supply of emergency assistance can form a crucial component. One reason Chinas efforts to develop its soft power have failed is the utilitarian way Beijing approaches the rest of the world. Instead of using culture, adept diplomacy and trashy movies to seduce other countries, China hands out cold, hard cash, said analyst William Pesek in a recent Bloomberg View. All the investment poured into railways in Indonesia, tunnels in Brazil, power grids in Cambodia, hydroelectric projects in Laos, bridges in Vietnam, roads in Zambia, factories in Malaysia, airports in Myanmar, and mining rigs in Uzbekistan comes with a high cost. In return, China demands complete docility. Thats the message being sent to the Philippines now. Meanwhile, the victims of Haiyan are happy to find help where they can. If you are talking of those western allies aligned with the U.S. then you have the same level of commitment to humanitarian aid, Casiple said. The others, meaning these countries not so aligned to the Philippines or those such as China that have issues with the Philippines, are a bit more reticent. But the main thing to remember is that they are giving aid.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:13:10 +0000
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