Debating U.S.-Cuban Relations: Shall We Play Ball?(Contemporary Inter-American Relations)

Two decades ago affairs between the United States and Cuba had seen little improvement from the Cold War era. Today, U.S.-Cuban relations are in many respects still in poor shape, yet some cooperative elements have begun to take hold and offer promise for future developments. Illustrated by the ongoing migration agreement, professional military-to-military relations at the perimeter of the U.S. base near Guantánamo, and professional Coast Guard-Guardafrontera cooperation across the Straits of Florida, the two governments are actively exploring whether and how to change the pattern of interactions. The differences that divide the two nations are real, not the result of misperception, and this volume does not aspire to solve all points of disagreement. Drawing on perspectives from within Cuba as well as those in the United States, Canada, and Europe, these authors set out to analyze contemporary policies, reflect on current circumstances, and consider possible alternatives for improved U.S.-Cuban relations. The resulting collection is permeated with both disagreements and agreements from leading thinkers on the spectrum of issues the two countries face—matters of security, the role of Europe and Latin America, economic issues, migration, and cultural and scientific exchanges in relations between Cuba and the United States. Each topic is represented by perspectives from both Cuban and non-Cuban scholars, leading to a resource rich in insight and a model of transnational dialogue.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction Jorge I. Domínguez and Rafael Hernández 2. Intimate Enemies: Paradoxes in the Conflict between the United States and Cuba Rafael Hernández 3. Reshaping the Relations between the United States and Cuba Jorge I. Domínguez 4. Cuba’s National Security vis-à-vis the United States: Conflict or Cooperation? Carlos Alzugaray Treto 5. Cuban-United States Cooperation in the Defence and Security Fields: Where Are We? Where Might We Be Able to Go? Hal Klepak 6. Terrorism and the Anti-Hijacking Accord in Cuba’s Relations with the United States Peter Kornbluh 7. The European Union and Its Role in U.S.-Cuban Relations Eduardo Perera Gómez 8. European Union Policy in the Cuba-U.S-Spain Triangle Susanne Gratius 9. U.S.-Cuba Relations: The Potential Economic Implications of Normalization Archibald R. M. Ritter 10. United States-Cuba Economic Relations: The Pending Normalization Jorge Mario Sánchez Egozcue 11. U.S. Immigration Policies toward Cuba Lorena G. Barberia 12. U.S.-Cuba: Emigration and Bilateral Relations Antonio Aja Díaz 13. The Subject(s) of Academic and Cultural Exchange: Paradigms, Powers, and Possibilities Sheryl Lutjens 14. Academic Diplomacy: Cultural Exchanges between Cuba and the United States Milagros Martínez Reinosa

Review :
"This volume brings together twelve exceptional scholars on U.S.-Cuban relations to explore the key dimensions of that troubled relationship. By including the perspectives of both Cuban and U.S. scholars on topics ranging from national security to culture, the editors provide a fascinating look at the issues that still divide Washington and Havana half a century after the Cuban revolution." -William M. LeoGrande, American University "Debating U.S.-Cuban Relations offers an agenda that Washington and Havana should be embracing. It is a splendid primer which I hope will be useful when the United States and Cuba decide to bury an antagonism that has served neither well." -Marifeli Perez-Stable, Florida International University "An excellent exploration of a topic which is important (and fascinating) not only in its own right, but also for its larger implications regarding U.S.-Latin American relations. The editors have assembled an A-List of Cuban specialists who bring to bear not only great expertise, but also a variety of perspectives which should interest people on all sides of this long-standing drama." -Michael Erisman, Indiana State University