Tillerson Is Right Not to Preach American Values

Recent leaks from the U.S. State Department suggest that Secretary Rex Tillerson is not interested in one of its traditional missions: promoting democracy across the world. But could it actually be a wise move to pause those efforts -- especially at this undeniably awkward moment for the U.S.?

Josh Rogin at The Washington Post reports that State is looking to amend its mission statement, editing out the goal of "shaping" a "just and democratic world." A Politico report reveals Tillerson's reluctance to access a total of $79.8 million of available funding earmarked under President Barack Obama for counteracting Russian and Islamic State propaganda. There's clearly a pattern there: Tillerson, who is intent on downsizing the department, appears to consider the negotiating part of its job more important than the soft power part. He has said as much, warning underlings that too much focus on promoting U.S. values "really creates obstacles to our ability to advance our national security interests, our economic interests."