Why did U.S. policy towards Cuba change? A view from Havana.
Before December 17, 2014, it was a natural question why the U.S. did not change its isolation policy against Cuba in light of its ostensible failure. That day President Barack Obama acknowledged this fact, in a demonstration of political courage never achieved by those among his predecessors who had the intention to produce a significant change in the relationship between the two neighboring countries. Although central components of the policy of economic blockade and political subversion against Cuba remain in place, the announced resumption of diplomatic relations between the two governments has a very positive meaning, because it will certainly allow a civilized interaction that could lead to new and more comprehensive understandings on key issues of the bilateral agenda, in order to accomplish a relation of mutual respect and fully normalized, despite the predictable hindering actions of certain retrograde and recalcitrant forces. In considering the chances of success of the...