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When news about Alhurra filtered out — along with talk that even MBN might shut down — many observers saw it as an own goal, a misguided rollback of U.S. soft power in the Middle East.

He is, by his own admission, a soft power.

That trust — that soft power — is the foundation of American economic dominance.

"It really showed soft power at its best," said a senior Palace official.

The ambassador has spoken of the "intangible but priceless" value of such soft power royal visits, as the UK tries to "reset" its relations with European neighbours after Brexit.