“It’s Time For A New Approach”
Barack Obama
Over the past several months, the Vatican has facilitated talks between the United States and Cuba focusing on resolving some long-standing humanitarian issues. The Holy See, the smallest of states, prompted these negotiations, and something remarkable happened — PROGRESS! More than 50-years of stagnation has ended — the thawing of relations to the last battle of the Cold War may be at hand. On December 17th, the President stated “it’s time for a new approach,” and I couldn’t agree more. U.S foreign policy has remained consistent for generations, even though geopolitics and spheres of influence have not.
Spanning the twentieth century and concluding with W’s presidency, the United States had employed the Realist approach to foreign policy. This method of international relations centers on two driving dynamics — military might and economic strength. Although once effective— this no longer remains true; this approach lacks the global perspective required in an ever shrinking world. Moreover, Realism perpetuates the myopic vision that has contributed to the dissent and anger realized in today’s headlines. More specifically, the reality of Realism centers on the interest of a State, without regard to morality or the deleterious effects upon other peoples, just objective facts for self-advancement — the epitome of the end justifying the means.
The end of Realism’s reign faded with the sun setting of the Bush administration where Neo-Con’s perverse version of Realism was one of the many catalysts contributing to the rise of the Arab Spring and the continued instability of the Middle East and North Africa. With the election of Barack Obama, the U.S. and much of the world were moved with visions of Hope and Change; yet, frustration and discontent had supplanted these through the manifestation of politics as usual.
Since President Obama has taken office, his administration’s foreign policy platform has been a jumble of reactive responses to the geopolitical landscape and dynamic reality of today; any sign of a pragmatic approach or a progressive policy framework has been absent. Yet, hope may be at hand with the announcement to normalize relations with Cuba. This is a bold move by the President and a glimmer of the leadership that has lacked through much of this administration. The importance of taking a new approach to U.S. foreign policy is crucial to stabilizing the chaos afflicting the world and to improving security to the Homeland.
The old adage of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it readily applies to our failed foreign policy, and specific to this discussion, our Cuban policy — it’s broke — we need to fix it! Spanning more than five-decades of U.S. policy and actions that failed to produced improved relations or security with Cuba, the President took a bold position to move towards a different approach to work with Raul Castro. However, voices of repression abound from the likes of former Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Marco Rubio, and Senator Ted Cruz, each of which are vying to position themselves to run in 2016 for President. Their personal ambitions trumping what may benefit this hemisphere, the people of Cuba, and the security of this nation — shame on them.
Our congressional leadership should move forward with legislation that takes a new approach with Cuba, but why stop there? The foreign policy platforms of the United States are in need of a much-needed overhaul. Let’s start now with Cuba and apply the wisdom gained from decades of failed policy to the numerous conflicts we are involved in. Our current path is flawed — our elected officials must step up and place the security and prosperity of the American people ahead of their personal ambitions. Who knows, they might actually do something meaningful for this country and the world; rather than their self-guided interests. Stop the narcissism — find meaningful change through a common interest — your constituents.
