For more than 50 years Cuba has occupied a unique position in global affairs, with a steadfast prominence that at first glance might seem unlikely for a small developing island country nestled in the Caribbean. Indeed, Cuba has long had a significant, highly active place not just in the foreground of international relations—where Cubans found themselves at the center of the three-decade Cold War geopolitical struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union—but, equally important, within the constructs of internationalism—the promotion of increased economic and political cooperation amon ... More

For more than 50 years Cuba has occupied a unique position in global affairs, with a steadfast prominence that at first glance might seem unlikely for a small developing island country nestled in the Caribbean. Indeed, Cuba has long had a significant, highly active place not just in the foreground of international relations—where Cubans found themselves at the center of the three-decade Cold War geopolitical struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union—but, equally important, within the constructs of internationalism—the promotion of increased economic and political cooperation amongst nations—and transnationalism—people-to-people rather than government-to-government relationships. These constructs of international relations, internationalism, and transnationalism are not only intertwined but also central to the country’s revolutionary project. Cuban foreign policy, Cuba’s efforts to establish greater cooperation with friendly powers, and the people-to-people contacts that have occurred despite the policies of its adversaries and even its own government have combined in a process that has seen the country occupy a position greater than its small size and geographical position would otherwise have merited. The revolution is admittedly incomplete; still, despite the recent reforms to its economy and travel for Cubans, and the political transition to post–Fidel Castro governance, its importance will not diminish for the foreseeable future. New domestic considerations and the advent of an evolving new international order simply provide a different setting for how and why the Cuban government, its people, émigré Cubans, and other states and peoples interact.