The Cuban Missile Crisis ended 50 years ago Sunday. There are still debates about the historical record, still attempts to gain full access to materials, and still disagreements about the consequences of the United States and the Soviet Union going to the brink over nuclear missiles and the small, relatively insignificant island. But the crisis mattered; its impact is still influential as it relates to US policy toward nuclear ambitions in Iran or North Korea today.
Since the crisis, the relationship between the United States and Cuba has remained static. Yet, as we were looking back at the 13-day standoff the past couple of weeks, Cuba raised a white flag, and we barely noticed. We should. Suddenly in 2012, Cuba is an issue once again.
Comments
Juliette, this column reminds me of State Department claims that Assad was a Syrian reformer. Even Vladimir Lenin pursued "market reforms" in the early Soviet Union. That didn't make him a former communist, just a communist who was willing to retreat tactically in order to realize his strategic goals. The Castro brothers are still Marxist Leninists and will continue to receive subsidies from Hugo Chavez to keep their regime afloat.
Irrelevant. This column is basically about how will we deal with a significant influx of Cubans into the USA, now that the Cuban government has relaxed its exit permitting. Oh, and Vietnam is also headed by Marxists, as is China, as is Venezuela. What makes Cuba unique? They are certainly not the threat they were when they were propped up by the Soviets. Time for a big change in attitude.
"the failed communist experiment in Havana is officially over"? Have you looked up "officially" in the dictionary? Cuba is still "officially" a communist country. You might think that the new immigration policy is the beginning of the end for communism in Cuba and you may be right, but until the Cuban government issues a statement that it's no longer communist, it's not "official".
Irrelevant. This column is basically about how will we deal with a significant influx of Cubans into the USA, now that the Cuban government has relaxed its exit permitting. Oh, and Vietnam is also headed by Marxists, as is China, as is Venezuela, for example, and we have relatively cordial diplomatic relations with all of them. What makes Cuba unique? They are certainly not the threat they were when they were propped up by the Soviets. Time for a big change in attitude.
You are right Juliette. Change is long overdue. Unfortunately we don't have politicians with the, how shall I say it, "hormonal ability" to make the call. The Cubans have taken over south Florida and, if you've been reading about police corruption in Miami, they brought much of the old Cuba with them. If we declare the embargo over, maybe they'll self deport!
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So, how will we deal with a significant influx of Cubans into the USA, now that the Cuban government has relaxed its exit permitting? We better get ready for that. Oh, and Vietnam is also headed by Marxists, as is China, as is Venezuela, for example, and we have relatively cordial diplomatic relations with all of them. What makes Cuba unique? They are certainly not the threat they were when they were propped up by the Soviets. Time for a big change in attitude.
The whole embargo thing was foolish. I didn't support it back in the day and I don't support it now.