An article over at the Atlantic Community from the famous IR scholar Joseph Nye regarding "hard", "soft" and "smart" power with my commets below,

 "Joseph Nye coined the term "soft power" and it has useful applications. Nothing he states in his article is untrue. I am glad he is modifying the concept some by referring to "smart power"

This is something of a recognition that the dictum of Machiavelli remains true:

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

Nations should take care they do not prostrate themselves before the altar of fickle public opinion when vital or existential issues are at stake. After all, as Mr. Theiler artfully describes above "the results of years of investment, engagement and sacrifices by the International Community can be almost negated by a single but highly reported strike of terrorists. "

There is only so much a nation can do. Occassionally mistakes will be made. We can't entirely prevent this, nor should we wring our hands in agitation over every mistake, lest paralysis of decision making will snuff out initiative and yield to those that wish to manipulate a public that is often quite easy to manipulate.

It is all a very careful balancing act where decisions must be calibrated with a recognition that the unexpected can lay to waste the best intentioned plans."