“We need to combat terrorism with all the resources we’ve got, with the smart power, with the aid budget, with the diplomacy, with political moves, with bringing together and forming great networks and alliances,” Cameron said. Adding further, he said, “Britain has a lot to offer on that front.”

In Japan, by contrast, there is little recognition of the importance of cultural diplomacy. This is clear from recent public discussions on the subject. Why is it that so many Japanese seem unable to grasp the value of using cultural power in foreign policy?

There’s also a strong likelihood that Chinese interest in Africa’s infrastructure will wane in time. This is because China is not in Africa out of magnanimity, but rather to extract resources and boost its soft-power reach. Once those are secured, there will be less reason to invest in infrastructure.

Americans may be more interested in domestic issues with gas prices rising sharply, unemployment still high, and continued instability in the market -- but a coherent message from Secretary Clinton that stresses the important role that foreign aid plays in an increasingly unstable democratic world is in dire need.

Seoul has certainly been successful in its soft power efforts globally over the past decade, and has consequentially accrued political capital and financial contracts not only in the Americas but also in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.

While aid organizations, governments, and local communities are involved in emergency responses, it is defense forces that often have the capabilities to offer logistical support, medical care, damage assessment, communications and imagery. Ultimately, military forces are particularly well-placed to provide life-sustaining assistance quickly.

The Chinese military clearly recognized that the U.S. was able to gain substantial goodwill from its effective response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami with its aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships ferrying supplies, medical teams and rescue crews ashore, according to Chinese and Western commentators.

It would be hard to conjure up a grander gesture to mark the state of relations between China and Africa than the new $200m Chinese-built headquarters of the African Union. However, it was with a mixture of bemusement and awe that delegates explored their shiny new gift, completed like so many Chinese projects on the continent in less than three years.