The American Security Project hosted a public event on bilateral relations between the United States and Cuba. Joining the American Security Project were authors Michael J. Kelly, JD, Erika Moreno, PhD, Richard Witmer, PhD, Jonathan C. Benjamin-Alvarado, PhD to discuss the United States, Cuba, and the relationship between the two countries, subjects they recently addressed in their new book. In addition to the panel of authors, the event featured opening remarks from Ambassador Jeffrey Delaurentis. American Security Project’s COO Andrew Holland also joined these distinguished guests to moderate the discussion.
Before the panel, American Security Project CEO Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney (Ret.) provided a brief introduction. In his remarks, he mentioned how the American Security Project’s interest in the area of US-Cuban relations dates to the December 17th, 2014 return of Alan Gross from Cuba. He recounted how the American Security Project’s involvement of in the area has expanded greatly in the following years, through efforts like its Cuba Engagement program and organizing the visit of a delegation of retired senior military leaders to Havana. He highlighted the ASP’s emphasis on the importance of dialogue and trade in US-Cuban Relations.
Following these remarks, Ambassador DeLaurentis introduced the discussion. Ambassador DeLaurentis discussed how in recent years there have been very minimal relations between the United States and Cuba. He also pointed out how the subject of US-Cuban relations is not only a foreign policy issue, but also a domestic one. He emphasized how relations between the two countries are not confined solely to the political realm, and how they are instead a very personal issue for many people. While he acknowledged the subject was one where “reasonable people disagree,” in his closing he addressed there is a potential for things to change in the countries’ relationship. Although he stated that the prognosis for a good short-term relationship between the two countries is “negative,” he also stated we could look back to the previous thaw in relations to picture what improved relations might look like. He explained US-Cuban relations as a “process,” and highlighted the importance of the type of work the panel has been doing in moving the process forward.
Professor Kelly discussed the genesis of the project. He remarked that there are a range of policy choices that need to be made in D.C., in Havana, and in both countries. He mentioned how the book was an effort to survey the policy options available, and to put these options out in a book for the issue to be addressed in the upcoming US elections. He portrayed the book as an effort to shape the framework of bilateral relations,