Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2016 | Page 56

Global Security and Intelligence Studies Moving Forward Our approach captures the interactive normative expectations and dynamic institutional and legal mechanisms that push and pull the United States into humanitarian operations. News coverage, public engagement and opinion, and historical milieu played significant roles in Operation Damayan. It is difficult to assess the complex array of factors shaping the U.S. relief effort in response to Typhoon Yolanda in isolation from previous cases. Normative factors, such as alleviating human suffering in the immediate wake of the storm by delivering aid and supplying developmental assistance, were consistent with those observed in the two earlier natural disasters. Strategic considerations were also present as the United States sought to improve its global image, build new and shore up existing alliances and partnerships, expand its economic interests, and increase its military presence in Asia and the Pacific. Given that Operation Damayan involved real costs and benefits, the United States engaged in a strategic decision to uphold and build its image and reputation with allies while advancing its interests relative to China. U.S. participation was based on humanitarian and human rights grounds even though strategic interests and considerations were at stake. Self-interested motivations are integral to humanitarian action, meaning that strategic interests cannot be separated from efforts to alleviate human suffering (Farer 2005, 235). References ABC News/Washington Post. 2004. “Poll: Bush’s Ratings Tepid, Expectations Mixed: Iraq Looms Large Over Second Term.” http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/PollVault/ story?id=419276 Acharya, Amitav, and Barry Buzan. 2010. Non-Western International Relations Theory: Perspectives On and Beyond Asia. London: Routledge. Agence France-Presse. 2013. “Philippines Counts the Cost of Typhoon Haiyan.” Manilla Bulletin, November 20. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/philippines-counts-thecost-of-typhoon-haiyan/ Ashley, Richard. 1983. “Three Modes of Economism.” International Studies Quarterly 27 (4): 477–491. Ashley, Richard. 1988. “Untying the Sovereign State: A Double Reading of the Anarchy Problematique.” Millennium: Journal of International Studies (June): 227–262. 50