U.S.–Cuba Relations

Jonathan D. Rosen is a research scientist at Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy.Hanna S. Kassab is a visiting professor at Northern Michigan University.

• 1 Cuba in the Nineteenth Century2 Cuba in the Twentieth Century: 1901-19593 Cuba in the Twentieth Century: The Second Half4 The Obama Administration and Cuba: The Strategic Shift5 Vested Interest Groups: The Cuba Lobby6 Public Opinion Regarding U.S. Foreign Policy toward Cuba7 Politicians and Cuba: The Big Divide

Rosen (Florida State) and Kassab (Northern Michigan) present a well-articulated case for redefining US-Cuban relations and building on Obama’s shift in policy. This book succinctly details Cuba’s history, including US-Cuba relations. The authors focus on Obama’s efforts to restore diplomatic ties with Raúl Castro before reviewing the obstacles confronting this shift: vested interest groups, public opinion, and ideological views held by politicians. This book raises critical questions about the practicality and rationale for maintaining a failed foreign policy. At the time of this publication, the presidential elections were still ongoing. The Trump administration has not been clear regarding its policy toward Cuba, aside from stipulating that "we should have made a better deal." In January 2017, a Cuban trade delegation arrived in the US to visit four states and six ports. If Obama’s efforts are reversed, Rosen and Kassab contend that nothing will change in Cuba, but if the US embraces this shift, we have far more to gain than lose, particularly with our Latin American neighbors. This book is strongly recommended to all readers interested in learning from the past to develop a stronger US-Cuba policy in the 21st century. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.