Cuba's Deal

President Obama’s announcement to overhaul U.S. policy toward Cuba is historic.  The relationship between both nations frozen in time for decades despite the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.

A spy swap, loosening of travel and economic restrictions, and launching of discussions to re-establish full diplomatic relations go as far as the president can go without congressional authorization. Now the ball is in the later.

Obama's unilateral move has gently shaken up the 2016 race to succeed him, exposing divisions among Republicans and possibly helping.

Potential contenders Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio adhered to the traditional Republican hard line. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who has a libertarian streak, backed the new policy. Paul said the 50-year-old embargo with Cuba "just hasn't worked."

Hillary Clinton also had asserted the previous policy was not working. In her memoir, "Hard Choices," she wrote that she urged Obama to shift. 

The isolation of Cuba kept the country backward for about 50 years. Thus there is no additional action can be taken against. On the other hand, Russia, the  restriction imposed is impacting the Russian economy hard and will eventually change their behavior. In other word, Obama's decision is historic. Just a thought.