巧實力 smart power

AIT理事主席薄瑞光則講美國對台政策。薄談到「巧實力」(smart power)觀點，並以花費鉅資在台北蓋AIT辦公新廈，讓台灣當局了解對台灣的長遠支持為例。
巧實力，是軍事硬實力，和政經外交等軟實力軟硬兼施(speak softly but carry a big stick)的綜效，對方苦思之餘難以抗拒（an offer he can't refuse）只得配合。所以也是帝國主義的美化版，現實生活中如賭場招攬賭客的手法（comps）便是。賭客等級由現場荷官決定：豪華賭客會加以追蹤，下次上門專機款待，精美飲食住宿全免。
巧實力是未開戰前，已在敵營內建立穩固基礎(establishing a foothold)；對方夠聰明，對來我場子撒野(come into my backyard)的詭計，自不會善罷甘休，這種爭霸過程，孫子兵法敘述甚明：「夫霸王之兵，伐大國，則其眾不得聚；威加於敵，則其交不得合。是故不爭天下之交，不養天下之權，信己之私，威加於敵，則其城可拔，其國可隳。」其中精髓便是：準備萬全，勝負決定在開戰之前。

「四五者，一不知，非霸王之兵也」：賭場高手把好牌押到最後（saving their Ace），中間不輕易出手。荷官能否搞清：此君是保守（action speaks louder than words）的「一軍」（first string），還是占便宜的假豪客(comp hustlers)，三者都在鬥智，各有所圖，誰能勝出，端在乎巧實力。

例："On the world stage, Washington's policies are characterized by Roosevelt's slogan, "Speak softly and carry a big stick"."「軟硬兼施是美國外交政策的特色。」

"Make him an offer he can't refuse. So, he's impressed with your preparation and seems to be wavering."「出手要重：知道承受不起，他就乖乖聽命。」

"The government foresees this stipend for Chinese students as establishing a foothold in the next generation that handles the future of China."「政府認為給予中國學生獎學金，是在對中國有影響力的下一代建立友善基礎。」

"If he tries to come into my backyard and disrupt my household I will not hesitate."「如果他膽敢來我地盤鬧事，我絕不會善了。」

"The New York Knicks are saving their ace, Jeremy Shu-How Lin, for Saturday's probable matchup."「星期六之戰至關重要，尼克隊決定保留高手林書豪屆時出賽。」

"Casino dealers have to prepare for what gamblers could do, not what they seem to be doing, because actions speak louder than words."「身為荷官，對於賭客的觀察之道是：眼見為證。」

"They need to identify who are the first-string gamblers for the casinos, and give out comps to encourage them to come back."「他們必須幫賭場找出豪客，贈以種種好處，吸引他們再度上門。」

"Comp hustlers play advantage gambling in order to receive the comps casino offers."「假豪客非不得已絕不下注，上賭場的目的只在免費享用賭場的諸多招徠服務。」