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SomewhereInTheMiddle

(499 posts)

14. Another attack on American Soft Power

Mon Apr 14, 2025, 04:10 AM

Monday

The US being seen as one of the, if not the, top destination of choice for international students has given us a long-term steady influence on business and governmental leaders and the educated classes of nations around the world.

This is recognized since at least the 1950's and reflected in such successful government efforts as the Fulbright program.

Directly attacking these students will degrade the reputation of the US around the world and weaken or eliminate all together that powerful source of influence.

It is as foolish and short sighted as cutting USAID for much the same reasons. Once that influence is lost it will take decades to rebuild, if it ever can be. And China and the EU are just waiting in the wings to take up the slack in both development assistance and educational offerings. They will gain the soft power we are deliberately throwing away.

This makes me sick.

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Rhiannon12866

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Highlight:

Visas revoked for students at universities in Southern states amid crackdown [View all] BumRushDaShow Sunday OP

International students bring in $43 billion a year to the US economy. Irish_Dem Sunday #1

With the loss of foreign students, tuition will likely rise for US students to truly unaffordable levels. Lonestarblue Sunday #5

Yes this is the goal. Irish_Dem Sunday #6

The US university system is floated by international students Prairie Gates Sunday #7

Yes who will want to pay top dollar to go to a US university when they can be deported to a torture prison Irish_Dem Sunday #10

MAGA wants to destroy US colleges IronLionZion Sunday #8

We were told of at least 8 students at Univ of Delaware were affected. nt woodsprite Sunday #2

academics markie Sunday #3

Also at a school in NE Ohio JohnnyRingo Sunday #4

For someone ordinarily verbally proficient, wordstroken Sunday #9

U.N.C., eh? Color me shocked. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Sunday #11

Sickening llmart Sunday #12

I also have not been in the area since that time either. OldBaldy1701E Sunday #13

Another attack on American Soft Power SomewhereInTheMiddle Monday #14

When I was in school, foreign students were valued, they were interesting, created diversity and usually very smart Rhiannon12866 Monday #15