Humanitarian Assistance and 'Soft' Power Projection.

摘要

Humanitarian Assistance is not normally associated with National Power Projection. However, the U.S. military is the primary element of national power used to project hard power and support humanitarian assistance operations globally. Commanders and joint planners alike have historically underestimated the strategic effects in the link between humanitarian assistance operations and its potential as a tool in projecting U.S. 'Soft' power using the military element. To better understand this linkage, the process must start with the way in which Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) are viewed. The two terms are used almost interchangeably at the tactical and operational levels. The military generally receives a great deal of media coverage during HA/DR operations, but this feeds the negative perception of the military being a reactionary force. At the theater/operational level, joint planners must make the connection between Humanitarian Assistance and 'Soft' Power Projection as they relate to the Commanders' Theater Security Cooperation Plans and the integration of all U.S. government agencies in their regions.