Lexington Books Cuban International Relations at 60: Reflections on Global Connections: 9 (Bloomsbury Studies on Cuba)

Cuban International Relations at 60 brings together the perspectives of leading experts and the personal accounts of two ambassadors to examine Cuba's global engagement and foreign policy since January 1959 by focusing on the island's key international relationships and issues. Thisbook's first section focuseson Havana's complex relationship with Washington and its second section concentrates on Cuba's other key relationships with consideration also being given to Cuba's external trade and investment sectors and the possibility of the island becoming a future petro-power. Throughout this study due attention is given to the role of history and Cuban nationalism in the formation of the island's unique foreign policy. This book's examination and reflection on Cuba as an actor on the international arena for the 60 years of the revolutionary period highlights the multifaceted and complex reasons for the island's global engagement. It concludes that Cuba's global presence since January 1959 has been remarkable for a Caribbean island, is unparalleled, and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Scholars of international relations, Latin American studies, and political science n will find this book particularly interesting. Review "How do we make sense of tiny Cuba's against-the-odds-survival in a world dominated by hostile, competing superpowers? Or its leadership role in the global south? Or the surprising success of its foreign policy built on the unlikely foundation of medical internationalism? Cuban International Relations at 60 -- bringing together the work of activists, ambassadors, experts and scholars of Cuba from around the world -- will help readers better understand how Cuba has managed to punch so far above its weight in the world for more than 60 years."--Stephen Kimber, University of King's College "At yet another crossroads for Cuba (coming to terms with both a post-Trump world and the human, economic and political costs of Covid-19), its global context could not be more relevant, even for a system that has always had to react rather than shape the world. This volume therefore is very apposite and invaluable at a key time, viewing Cuba's place in the present world through the eyes of some of the very best specialist experts in their fields, who bring us analysis with a mix of balanced perspectives and deep thought. One of the best of its kind."--Tony Kapcia, University of Nottingham About the Author Mervyn J. Bain is professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations and head of the School of Social Science at the University of Aberdeen, UK. Chris Walker is researcher in the International Development Studies Department at Saint Mary's University, Canada.