The Decline of Political Pertinence: U.S. Economic Sanctions Against Cuba
Abstract
For more than four decades Fidel Castro has created tension and confrontations between the United States and Cuba. In response, every President since Eisenhower has elected economic sanctions as the primary instrument of U.S. national power in dealing with Cuba. For three of the last four decades, the embargo of Cuba was part of America's larger Cold War strategy against the Soviet bloc. Despite the end of that "war," Washington has continued the strategy, but switched objectives from the foreign policy arena, to demanding internal domestic change in Cuba. The stated policy objective of a "peaceful transition to democracy" in Cuba cannot be achieved with the blunt instrument of an economic embargo. The current policy actually serves Castro's interest better than those of America. The embargo enables him to garner both international and domestic support for his chosen role as the champion of anti-imperialism aimed at Washington. U.S. foreign policy should be built on more solid foundations benefiting both Americans and Cubans in the post-Cold War world. This study analyzes the flaws in U.S. policy and offers a more rational alternative.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA389930
Entities
People
- Stephen D. Mitchell
Organizations
- United States Army War College