In a recent piece in the Fletcher Forum, CGA Clinical Professor Michael F. Oppenheimer argues that the modern world, dominated by hard power, places significant but often overlooked demands on U.S. soft power. He emphasizes that while military and economic force remain critical, soft power—such as cultural diplomacy and the exchange of ideas—remains essential for the U.S. to maintain its global leadership. Oppenheimer warns that the decline in U.S. soft power undermines the country’s global influence and emboldens adversaries, and stresses the need for the U.S. to integrate both hard and soft power to navigate the challenges of an increasingly hostile world.