Irene S. Wu, Ph.D., “Measuring Soft Power in International Relations.”

Irene S. Wu, Ph.D. is author of “Measuring Soft Power in International Relations.” She is a lecturer in the Communications, Culture, and Technology Program of Georgetown University and a former fellow at the Wilson Center for international Scholars. Her other books include Forging trust communities: how technology changes politics, and from iron fist to invisible hand: the uneven path of telecommunications reform in China. Soft power, as opposed to hard power, is essential to persuade another country without the use of violence. Examples would include USAID, economic aid, international trade, US Peace Corps, UN projects and People to People Programs. Elimination of the successful USAID program and withdrawal from WHO have been detrimental to the perception of the US and accomplishments of many of its foreign policies. China, who is assuming more of a leadership role, has developed one of the largest infrastructure programs called the Belt and Road project.