United States Security Strategy Towards Cuba
Abstract
The movie "Charlie Wilson's War" illustrates the tragic void in U.S. policy that followed the Soviet Union's departure from Afghanistan in 1987 and set the conditions for the worst domestic attack in U.S. history on September 11, 2001. And yet Afghanistan lies 6,700 miles from America's shores! What predictions can we make from the Soviet Union's relationship with Cuba, which lies only 90 miles from Florida? Foreseeing a Cuban attack is not the message. Instead, the author is suggesting that promoting a secure and stable Cuba ensures U.S. security in the region. Why then does the United States continue to support a failed 50-year Cold War foreign policy with Cuba that has done little in a post-Cold War world to remove the Castro regime or change the Cuban government? Raul Castro's assumption to power in 2006 is unremarkable by itself except to highlight that change in Cuba is on the horizon and shaping that change is in the U.S. National Interest. This paper will further define our interests in Cuba and why President Obama should continue his quest for renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba. It will discuss potential risks associated with retaining the current 50-year diplomatic policy and give some broad suggestions regarding a new U.S.-Cuba foreign policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518053
Entities
People
- Sergio M. Dickerson
Organizations
- United States Army War College