U.S. Policy Toward a Cuba in Transition Research & Commentary

Cuba: A New Policy of Critical and Constructive Engagement (April 2009)
The Obama administration announced changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba, including lifting the ban on some types of travel between the two nations. This change represents a major shift in U.S. policy. A new Brookings report recommends further short-term and longer-term changes.

Roadmap for Engagement with Cuba (February 26, 2009)
Under the auspices of the project “U.S. Policy toward a Cuba in Transition,” nineteen distinguished academics, opinion leaders and diplomats committed themselves to seeking ways to improve U.S.-Cuba policy. A great lesson of democracy is that it cannot be imposed; it must come from within. The project members find that U.S. policy should encompass the political, economic and diplomatic tools that are needed to help the Cuban people find the political space that is essential to engage in and direct the politics of their country.

Use 'Smart Power' to Help Cubans (February 24, 2009)
Vicki Huddleston and Carlos Pascual argue that if President Obama wishes to alter U.S. policy toward Cuba, he has ample authority to do so. Huddleston and Pascual examine Obama's executive authority to do so, and note there is no reason The U.S. cannot reach out to the Cuban people and still retain the embargo as a symbol of concern about the government's failure to live up to international norms and human rights.

Cuba at Fifty (December 31, 2008)
January 1, 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's revolution and ascension to power in Cuba. Vicki Huddleston reviews the family feud across the Florida Straits and argues that a changed world offers opportunities to those Cuban Americans and Cubans bold enough to bury the past and build a future friendship among all Cubans and Americans.

FIU Poll Digest (December 2, 2008)
On December 2, The Brookings Institution released the results of a new poll on Cuban American opinion conducted by Florida International University in collaboration with the Brookings Institution and the Cuba Study Group.

The Odd Couple: The EU and Cuba 1996-2008 (September 2008)
Paul Hare discusses what the European Union policy toward Cuba has achieved, lessons from this relationship, and what role foreign policy plays in a peaceful transition in Cuba.

What to Expect from the Cuban-American Electorate (August 2008)
Andy Gomez, Benjamin Bishin, Feryal Cherif and Daniel Stevens explore myths and facts about the Cuban-American electorate. The evidence presented by the writers indicates that Cuban-Americans do not hold homogenous beliefs and that the community as a whole is more liberal than conventional wisdom has led observers to think.

The Role of Education in Cuba's Future (August 2008)
Andy Gomez demonstrates how the role of education in the future of Cuba will be one of the leading factors in transforming the psychological values and attitudes of the population in order to develop a civil society and eventually sustain a democratic state.

Who Will Help Cuba Exploit its Offshore Oil Wealth? (June 16-20, 2008)
Vicki Huddleston discusses Cuba's plans to start drilling off the country's coast in order to access billions of barrels of crude oil. Huddleston says that United States companies should get involved and believes continuing to isolate the U.S. from Cuba in a competitive oil market will only hurt in the long run.

What Impact Are Recent Reforms Having on Cuba's Economy? (May 09, 2008)
In this article from Inter-American Dialogues's America Advisor, Vicki Huddleston discusses the recent economic reforms in Cuba following the transition in leadership from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul. She states that the reforms, if continued, will lead to more personal freedoms and better lives for Cuban citizens.

Cuba 2010: Worst-case Scenario Could Become Reality (April 2008)
As Cuba’s transition from Fidel Castro continues, Vicki Huddleston hypothesizes what the country may look like in 2010 following further changes at the leadership level. She states that one thing likely to remain constant “is the enmity between Washington and Havana.”

Cuba Embargo's Usefulness Has Run Its Course (March 10, 2008)
Raul Castro’s ascent to power is a reminder that the Cuban revolution likely has survived despite U.S. efforts to bring about the contrary. Vicki Huddleston asserts that continued U.S. economic and diplomatic isolation of Cuba cannot bring about the end of the revolution, but that “if we remove the barriers to communication, we will speed the forces of change.”

What Does Fidel Castro's Retirement Mean for Cuba? (February 20, 2008)
Vicki Huddleston comments on Fidel Castro's announcement that he will no longer be the leader of Cuba and offers ideas about what it might mean for the U.S.-Cuban relationship.

How Not to Promote Democracy in Cuba (October 25, 2007)
Responding to a speech by President Bush on democracy prospects in Cuba, Vicki Huddleston says that "we won't see a viable political opposition or vibrant free press until we help build up Cuban civil society."

Play a Part in Cuba's Future (April 20, 2007)
Carlos Pascual and Vicki Huddleston write that as the inherently unstable situation in Cuba continues, the United States can either sit on the side lines—allowing the Revolution to regenerate and renew itself—or encourage reform by reducing Cuba's isolation.

FIU Poll Digest (April 13, 2007)
The Brookings Institution in partnership with the Cuba Study Group held a conference on April 2 with representatives of Cuban-American political and humanitarian organizations, academic experts, as well as current and former policy practitioners to discuss a recent poll on current Cuban-American opinions and the implications for U.S. Cuba policy.

Cuba Conference Report (April 2, 2007)
The Brookings Institution and the Cuba Study Group held a “Focus on Cuba” event on April 2 with a group of diplomats, academics, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Cuban-American activists.

Post-Fidel Cuba (February 6, 2007)
As the era of Fidel Castro ends, Vicki Huddleston argues that the U.S. must change tactics to help build a prosperous and democratic future in Cuba.