Politics NYT article about Hillary as SoS, Qaddafi and Obama's advisors

[BrianFromWA]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/us/politics/hillary-clinton-libya.html?module=WelcomeBackModal&contentCollection=Asia Pacific&region=FixedCenter&action=click&src=recg&pgtype=article&_r=0
Lots of stuff in here that sheds light on our political decision-making around 2011-12 and how, even in Washington, even in today's era, groupthink can prevail and that we (as leaders in the US) don't know a lot about what we think we do. How good intentions can go bad, and lead to things that look quite hypocritical.

Plus, if you don't like Susan Rice, it's a bonus read. And ADM Stavridis, who makes a cameo appearance, is one of the smarter (and most prolific) flag officers we've had in a while. He's been crafting "smart power" since he worked in South America in the 90s.

What are the principal tools of smart power?
The tools are: first, international and multi-national approaches; second, interagency approaches built upon the "three Ds"– defense, diplomacy and development; and third, public-private cooperation. If we do those three things and we use strategic communications effectively, we will be building the much needed new bridges. Now, though there will be times when we need to use hard power – because soft power with no hard power in reserve is no power at all – but smart power is the best approach to achieve desired outcomes.
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs...mander-james-stavridis-on-conflict-resolution

 

[MarAzul]

if you don't like Susan Rice

Rice along and Hillary are the characters in focus of this entire cluster .... It never enters my mind whether I like one or the other ever.

But thanks for the read. It is painful.