The Trump presidency seems hopeful that moral authority can be sustained on the back of hard power alone. Trump's budget proposal seeks to increase military spending and cut (drastically) programs and networks that sustain America's leverage through the exercise of moral authority and soft power. JUST WATCHED Where Trump's campaign promises stand Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Where Trump's campaign promises stand 03:20Trump relied exclusively on hard power to respond to Assad's use of chemical weapons. Few would have thought that the President's first spectacular use of hard power would be aimed at enforcing an international humanitarian norm. Exercising moral authority and soft power effectively will require Trump to think carefully about the words he chooses.

Source: CNN April 27, 2017 16:15 UTC