American Diplomat Is "Soft Power" Really So Soft?
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Mar 12, 2026 Mark Storella, a Career U.S. diplomat and former Ambassador to Zambia, reflects on using health and democracy support as tools of influence. He discusses PEPFAR’s origins and impact in Zambia. He recounts presidential visits, election support, China’s contrasting approach, and how public health opened doors to broader cooperation and strategic gains.
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Use Public Leaders To Normalize Health Actions
- Use visible public events to normalize testing and reduce stigma; Storella publicly took an HIV test after urging nationwide testing.
- That public act reassured citizens and promoted uptake when the ambassador emerged HIV-negative.
Top-Level Support Gave A Clear Mandate On Elections
- Hillary Clinton told Storella to 'stay on this government for a clean election' when visiting Zambia for AGOA, giving him a clear diplomatic mandate.
- That top-level backing framed U.S. insistence on election transparency.
Negotiating Observers Prevented An Electoral Breakdown
- Facing threats of expulsion for pushing independent observers, Storella negotiated with Zambia's president and Electoral Commission to permit observers.
- Those observers helped ensure vote counting continued and the challenger was confirmed.