Question

Critical Thinking Assignment Number Three (Be sure to cite facts to support your opinions and citations for facts)

3. In past years, the U.S. armed forces have been called on to perform duties that are more humanitarian than militaristic, such as hurricane and flood relief, relieving starvation in Somalia, and restoring democratic government in Haiti. Should the U.S. military perform humanitarian roles, or should that be left to private relief agencies such as the Red Cross or Red Crescent?

Answer 1

Yes the military should be used for humanitarian missions.

Even talking strictly in the sense of projecting power and military serving the national purpose, it stands to reason that the military should be used for humanitarian missions. Power is not only hard power, it is also soft- such as cultural, goodwill, positive image and ability to help. So even if we think that US military is strictly a force to be used for things that benefit the US, it still makes sense to use it in humanitarian missions because it will help the US increase and project her soft power across the globe. This will increase the US's prestige, create a positive image and strengthen her relationship with countries across the world.

Not to mention that purely from a moral point of view also, a helping hand is always an endeavour that the US, or any other country, must undertake.