U.S. Policy Toward a Cuba in Transition
If one compares outcomes to stated objectives, U.S. policy toward Cuba may be the biggest failure in the history of American foreign policy. After an almost five-decade embargo and various attempts to isolate and undermine the Castro regime, Fidel has handed over power to his brother, Raul. Today the United States has little leverage to promote change in Cuba. Indeed, Cuba enjoys normal relations with virtually every country in the world other than the United States.
The Brookings project on “U.S. Policy toward a Cuba in Transition” is intended to help break this stalemate of failure. Brookings hopes to inject new ideas and insights into the American debate over how to best support the emergence of a democratic Cuba.
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In this Series
2008
April 16, 2008
In conjunction with the University of Miami, the Brookings Institution’s project on “U.S. Policy toward a Cuba in Transition” held its third simulation exercise on April 16, 2008, focusing on the dynamics, motivations, and decision-making processes of Cuban civil society groups.
March 4, 2008
On March 4, 2008, Brookings hosted its second U.S.-Cuba simulation exercise, focusing on the internal dynamics, motivations, and decision-making processes of Cuba’s leadership. With the date of the meeting following on the heels of Fidel Castro’s decision to formally step down from power, the exercise called on participants to put themselves in the shoes of an inner circle of advisers to Raul Castro as they meet to assess possible political and economic strategies for the next five years.
February 7, 2008
Foreign Policy at Brookings held day long simulations regarding the future of U.S. policy toward Cuba after Fidel Castro. Participants discussed what would happen following the death of Castro and what a new administration sworn in after the 2008 U.S. elections would do differently with a Cuba led by Raul Castro.