Author: Allison Yezril

White and black chess kings on an antique world map, symbolizing global strategy, diplomacy, and the shifting balance of international influence.

Philanthropic Community Is Positioned to Wield Soft Power Diplomacy Amid U.S. Government Retreat

June 28, 2026 No Comments

As the United States retreats from foreign aid, China and the Gulf states are stepping into the vacuum, winning the loyalty of the world’s fastest-growing populations. Former intelligence officer Allison Yezril argues that America’s private foundations—Gates, Rockefeller, Mott—are now the last credible voice of American ideals abroad. The question is whether American donors will rise to wield it.

Allison Yezril

Allison has spent more than two decades shaping U.S. national security strategy and advising senior decision-makers on complex geopolitical challenges. Her work has focused on East Asia, the Middle East, emerging technologies, cyber, and counterterrorism. She has held leadership positions at the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the U.S. Department of State, and previously served as a researcher and analyst at RAND's Science and Technology Policy Institute.