Top Three Takeaways – July 13th, 2021

Top Three Takeaways – July 13th, 2021

1. Freedom isn’t free and it won’t happen in Cuba without our help. But it should happen which means the United States should be helping. The current withdrawal from Afghanistan serves as an appropriate contrast to what we’ve been doing somewhat unsuccessfully around the world vs what we should be doing right now 90 miles south of Florida. The initial miscalculations in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq stemmed from a belief that if we freed the people of those countries from the terrorist dictatorships running them, the citizens of those countries would embrace freedom given the opportunity. While that didn’t happen in two countries where most citizens believe in Sharia law, there can be no doubt but that Cubans protesting for freedom today would embrace it and run with it given the opportunity. In fact, I have little doubt that the average Cuban protestor would appreciate and embrace freedom more than the average American. However, we know...
2. It’s complicated. Cuba isn’t just about Cuba. It’s about China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela, aka the modern axis powers, as well. It’s no mistake that the Communist Cuban government censored and silenced the internet starting Sunday. They exclusively use China’s internet service providers - Huawei, TP-Link and ZTE. The only portal available to access the internet in Cuba, Etesca, is Chinese programmed as well. All of this is to say that not only can Cuba’s Communist government censor and shutoff the internet...so could the Chinese government. It’s complicated but it’s all that much more important in context. During the Cuban missile crisis, Russia was the biggest threat to the US and freedom around the world. Today, it’s China followed by Russia. And both have strong footholds in Cuba and Venezuela. This isn’t just about freeing an oppressed people desperate for help. It’s a long-term matter of US national security as well. How many wars have we fought overseas since World War II without such clarity? Joe Biden voted for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why won’t he do what’s necessary now to seize on this critical moment in aid of Cuba? Yes, it’s complicated, but it’s certain to only become more so with time and a puppet government directed from on high by China. 
3. The window of opportunity is closing fast in Cuba. On Monday, widespread arrests of opposition leaders and protestors were reported. In a Communist controlled country where the average salary allowed by the government is $44 per month. That’s $44 per month. Freedom is in short supply and the wherewithal of Cubans is limited. It’s a time for choosing for the United States. Do we really stand for freedom in Cuba or are we most inclined to cave to communists? Many have wondered if the best days in the United States are behind us. The decision that is or isn’t made here, small as it may seem on the surface, may be a true tell as to if we’ll remain the world’s leader in protecting and exporting freedom or if China’s time is soon to come. I don’t know what the exact right move is to assist the Cuban people of repression, but we have a State Department and Defense Department theoretically full of experts who should. A day late tacit note of support for Cuban freedom isn’t worth the paper it was printed on by the Biden administration and won’t accomplish anything. Action in supporting the Cuban people is.