Defense Secretary Says Military Alone Can't Protect U.S. Interests

By D. Cupples |  Yesterday's New York Times reported:

"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called Monday for the United States government to commit more money and effort to 'soft power' tools, including diplomacy, economic assistance and communications, because the military alone cannot defend America’s interests around the world."

"In a speech at Kansas State University, the Pentagon chief forcefully advocated a larger budget for the State Department. Mr. Gates noted that military spending — even without war costs for Iraq and Afghanistan — totals nearly half a trillion dollars annually, compared with a State Department budget of $36 billion.

“'We must focus our energies beyond the guns and steel of the military, beyond just our brave soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen,' he said. 'We must also focus our energies on the other elements of national power that will be so crucial in the years to come....'

"The defense secretary also said the United States government must improve its skills at public diplomacy and public affairs to better describe the nation’s strategy and values to a global audience.

“'We are miserable at communicating to the rest of the world what we are about as a society and a culture, about freedom and democracy, about our policies and our goals,' he said. 'It is just plain embarrassing that Al Qaeda is better at communicating its message on the Internet than America.'” (NY Times)

Most of what Secretary Gates said make sense, except the last part.  The Bush Administration has been superb at crafting communications.  The problem is that too often the Administration's words seem to conflict with reality -- or with the Administration's own actions.

Before our nation attacked Iraq, President Bush clearly stated that it would be a short war. (USA Today)  Earlier this year, Administration officials "envisioned" staying in Iraq long term -- like Korea, where we've been for 50+ years. (Washington Post) 

Recently declassified pre-war intelligence reports (which were given to the Administration) warned that invading Iraq would be a difficult, long-term endeavor. (Report pdf)  They even warned that invading Iraq would fertilize terrorist activity there.

Two months after the Iraq invasion, President Bush sent a very clear message that the mission had been accomplished. (USA Today and BN-Politics)  Here we are -- 4+ years, $450+ billion, and nearly 4,000 dead soldiers later -- still hoping to accomplish missions.

It was Administration officials who persuaded us Americans to support a preemptive attack on Iraq in the first place, on the grounds that: 1) Saddam Hussein supposedly had Weapons of Mass Destruction, and 2) Iraq was connected to the 9/11 attacks.  Both of those clearly communicated myths have since been debunked.

The problem isn't that Administration officials are bad at communicating or at applying public-relations gloss.  Like many Americans, people throughout the world are tired of substance-free gloss.  That's why President Bush's credibility is hovering in the vicinity of zero.

Solving this problem will require far more than better message-packaging.  It will require actual changes in our nation's policies and actions.

Find the full text of Gates' speech via Memeorandum.

Related BN-Politics Posts:

* Ex-CIA Officers Say there Were No WMDs &  Bush Knew It

* Experts Pooh-Pooh War Rhetoric, Candidates Still Use it

* Why do They Keep Changing Troop-Withdrawal Deadlines?

* Private Companies Milking Medicare

* Most Americans Believe Administration Ignored 9/11 Warnings

* Katrina Taxbreaks Go Toward Luxury Condos

* FEMA: Poor Management or Corruption?

Comments

[MidaFo]

"Solving this problem will require far more than better message-packaging. It will require actual changes in our nation's policies and actions."

Why is this simple truth not public knowledge in the USA?

While it remains ignored the USA will remain an idiotic nation.

[D. Cupples]

You make a good point! Frankly, I've no idea why so many Administration officials seem to think that message-packaging is the solution (however unrelated to reality).

It's as though they failed to read the last part of Lincoln's statement re: can't fool all of the people all of the time. Let that be a lesson: it pays to read thoroughly.