Document Type

Honors Project

Comments

The Department of Defense has a long history of medical activity. With the right modifications, this medical activity could win soft power for the U.S. somewhat like the way in which Cuba and China's medical diplomacy programs have for their respective countries.

Abstract

Since the early 1960’s, Cuba and China have won international appreciation by sending doctors abroad to help where they are needed. While there was surprise in some quarters when U.S. military personnel were deployed to combat Ebola in the last months of 2014, the Department of Defense actually has a long history of medical activity. In its current form, DoD medical outreach cannot likely garner soft power in the way that the Chinese and Cuban programs can, but with a few modifications, the U.S. military could be a serious conductor of medical diplomacy that would save countless lives and benefit the image of America abroad.

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