Djibouti: Building, Not Fighting

Suggested Intro:
Following the collapse of the Soviet empire, the United States has remained the world's lone superpower. Does this mean we have to be in the driver's seat for solving every global problem?  How should American leadership best be exercised in today's uncertain world?

President Teddy Roosevelt is the author of the legendary "walk softly but carry a big stick" line about America's posture in the world. In many cases, that "big stick" is the massive U.S. military with 737 bases around the world and an imposing $462 billion annual budget.
 
Today, the United States military is beginning to use some of its vast resources to also play the "speak softly" role by carrying out work normally reserved for diplomats and humanitarians.   But is this the right role for the US military? 

Kristin McHugh traveled to the Horn of Africa...a key crossroads between Africa and the Middle East...to investigate the Pentagon's latest efforts to promote a positive view of American leadership far from home.


Suggested Outro:
Kristin McHugh’s report is part of the special program "Beyond Fear: America's Role in an Uncertain World" produced by the Stanley Foundation and KQED Public Radio.