Publication

This commentary criticizes what it sees as the US government's decision to expand its 'soft power' capabilities at the expense of its 'hard power' ones. In making this choice, the commentary continues, the US is ignoring three uncomfortable 'realities' of international relations -- 1) force is more effective than finesse in achieving results, 2) when it comes to autocratic leaders, they are better at manipulating the West than vice-versa, and 3) inflicting physical pain is the only 'human universal' that transcends the distorting effects of culturally-based rationalization and self-justification.