Major Russell O. Davis Us Air Force

Hybrid Power: Mobility Air Forces and Foreign Policy Major Russell O. Davis Us Air Force

United States foreign policy is undergoing a metamorphosis, creating conditions that require a whole of government integrated foreign policy approach. Current methodology attempts to use all aspects of the United States? instruments of power in a separate, but complementary manner to influence the global security environment. To address these challenges, President Obama?s foreign policy strategy is built upon the concept of smart power. Smart power is the nexus of soft and hard power via the different instruments of national power to positively influence foreign policy. The basis of the research question for this monograph is to analyze the potential for military forces, Mobility Air Forces (MAF) in particular, to contribute to foreign policy in other than hard power methods. This monograph asks: what contribution, if any, does the USAF?s Mobility Air Forces have in the execution of smart power in United States foreign policy? The hypothesis of this monograph is that the military, particularly MAF, can contribute both positively and negatively to the hard and soft power elements of foreign policy. This hypothesis also challenges the Center for Strategic and International studies (CSIS) categorization of separate but complementary soft and hard power as smart power and asks if there is a better way to approach those activities to further United States policy. This monograph introduces a method of better capturing the interaction of hard and soft power termed ?Hybrid Power.? Hybrid power captures the essence of simultaneity as hard and soft power is exerted by a single element to create the desired foreign policy effects. The term hybrid power also eliminates the politically charged and divisive term, ?smart power.? In order to capitalize on the potential that hybrid power has in influencing foreign policy, the entire paradigm of smart power must shift from separate, somewhat disconnected activities towards fully integrated and simultaneous activities. Identifying those activities as hybrid power indicates an evolution in the understanding of how the different elements of hard and soft power integrate. The USAF?s Mobility Air Forces are a good example of the military?s hybrid power potential to positively influence today?s complex foreign policy environment. This paper includes a short history and description of MAF, and it contrasts MAF capabilities and outcomes against the CSIS critical aspects of smart power. Historical case study is used to ascertain the origins and development of MAF in relation to foreign policy and how their activities relate to hybrid power theory.