Should We Be Communicating With Cuba?

That is the question I have. Is Cuba really that bad of a government that we should continue to impose a sanction on them? Are they any worse than Iran or North Korea? Those two countries are trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran has even said they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Is Cuba really worse than Iran? Maybe they are, but I think it is debatable.

I think history has a lot to do with it. I have always been interested in the Cuban Missile Crisis and think it is a fascinating moment in history. Michael Dobbs book 'One Minute To Midnight' is an extremely engaging book that goes day by day during the crisis (sometimes minute by minute) and what each side was thinking. How close we came to nuclear war with Russia is amazing and frightening. The Cuban Missile Crisis is a lesson in poor communication. Two sides that were trying to read each others signals and intentions. Both sides could have ended the crisis earlier or avoided the crisis with better communication.

Unfortunately, almost two decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall the United States does not communicate with Cuba directly. Recently, President Obama has lifted some travel restrictions and has said he would be willing to talk with the Castro brothers who rule Cuba. Cuba has responded by saying that it is the US who has to make the first step. So it appears that the lack of communication between two countries only 90 miles apart will continue for some time. In addition, there is a strong Anti-Castro coalition in the United States that doesn't want to normalize relations with Cuba until the Castro brothers step down from power.

So why don't we communicate with Cuba? Are there legitimate reasons? I have always felt that communication can solve most problems and that by not communicating, it just makes the problems worse. I don't mean to get too political here, but it is a big question for the United States and the people of Cuba. I would love to get your thoughts on this in the comments section and continue the discussion for a couple of days.

Travis