International insecurity 13 the impact of foreign

INTERNATIONAL INSECURITY 13
The Impact of Foreign Policies
President Barack Obama wants to have a prosperous and stable relationship with Cuba. Since
the restoration of the relationship with Cuba, “President Obama [has been] taking action to cut loose
the anchor of failed policies of the past, and to chart a new course in U.S. relations with Cuba that will
engage and empower the Cuban people” (White House, n. d.). Obama is working on overturning
outdated policies that the United States had on Cuba, which will have positive impacts on Cubans and
United State's national security. For example:
The President is immediately reopening discussions with Cuba and working to re-establish an
embassy in Havana in the next coming months. The U.S. will work with Cuba on matters of
mutual concern that advance U.S. national interests, such as migration, counter-narcotics,
environmental protection, and trafficking in persons, among other issues (White House, n. d.).
Both nations have also decided to improve telecommunications.
According to Whitehouse.gov:
Cuba has an Internet penetration of about five percent – one of the lowest rates in the world.
The cost of telecommunications in Cuba is exorbitantly high, while the services offered are
extremely limited. Now, telecommunications providers will be allowed to establish the
necessary mechanisms, including infrastructure, in Cuba to provide commercial
telecommunications and internet services (n. d).
Also, the United States and Cuba have expanded sales and exports of certain goods and
services. “This expansion will seek to empower the nascent Cuban private sector and make it easier for
Cuban citizens to have access to certain lower-priced goods to improve their living standards and gain
greater economic independence from the state” (White House, n. d.).

INTERNATIONAL INSECURITY 14
Now, citizens of both countries are allowed to travel within both nations. With the travel
regulations lifted, Americans will be able to help support Cuba's growth, which can provide business
training for private businesses in Cuba and farmers.
International Insecurity
International insecurity played a role in developing the United States and Cuba's diplomatic
relationship. A lot of people and organizations such as the Cuba Lobby, were against the resolution
between the two nations. They did not trust Fidel and Raul Castro (Feldman, 2014). One of their
reasons is the Cold War. According to Max Fisher:
Cuba became an ally of the Soviet Union shortly after Fidel Castro took power in a 1959
Marxist revolution; the US was not happy about having a Soviet military in [close proximity] to
Florida. Cuba was afraid that the US would try to violently overturn Castro's revolution, and the
US did in fact attempt this several times in the early 1960s. Castro even invited the Soviet
Union to put nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter American aggression, [which sparked] the 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis when the US tried to block the Soviet ships carrying the warheads (2014).