This paper presents a case for why ditching six decades of U.S. Cuba policy failure is the best path forward. The United States hoped to distance Cuba from the Soviet Union and weaken the Cuban state’s ability to function. RecommendationsAlthough foreign policy is frequently treated as the president’s prerogative, U.S. policy with Cuba is unique. Finally, the United States should officially drop regime change as the overall objective of its Cuba policy. While the benefits of reform are limited, they still exceed whatever deliverables the United States is receiving with today’s outdated policy.

Source: New York Times January 23, 2026 13:51 UTC