The Motivations For Obama Administration To Reestablish Diplomatic Ties With Cuba

The reestablishment of formal diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba on July 20 th,2015 is the greatest achievement in Cuban-American relations for more than half a century since the two countries broke off their relations in 1961.Over this long period of time,Cuba suffered severe political and economic sanctions imposed by the US.The US tried almost every means possible to topple Fidel Castro government,only to find all these measures are ineffective.Cuba has actively developed multilateral diplomatic relations and strengthened friendly cooperation with countries from all around the world especially Latin American countries in order to break off America's blockade on Cuba over the years,achieving a positive result.During his first presidential campaign,Obama promised that he would improve relationship with Cuba once he was elected to be president.In 2009,Obama lifted restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting Cuba to see their relatives and Cuban American remittances to their relatives.On December 17 th,2014,Obama declared that he would normalize the relationship between the two countries.Against the above background,the present thesis analyzes the motivations for Obama administration to reestablish diplomatic ties with Cuba from three levels.Firstly,on the external elements,the active cooperation between Cuba and major powers such as China,Russia and EU stimulates America to re-examine and alter its policy towards Cuba owing to the trend of peaceful development and globalization.Additionally,the position of Latin American countries is gradually increasing and they urge America to end sanctions on Cuba.Besides,pressure from international community drives,in a sense,America to abolish sanctions on Cuba.Secondly,when it comes to the internal elements,in order to win votes for Democratic party in 2016 presidential election and improve the international image of hegemony and power politics,Obama also begins to seek to ease relations with Cuba.Furthermore,Cuban internal economic and social reform breaks isolation,which makes America feelfailure in sanctions.Moreover,pressure from domestic public opinion requires America to rethink relations with Cuba.Thirdly,in terms of leader element,Obama's active and inclusive personality makes him adopt soft policy to Cuba.Finally,the persistent wrangling between the two parties blocks Obama to fulfill his policy,for example the medical care reform,which makes Obama seek for diplomatic breakthrough.By analyzing motivations,the final conclusion is that internal elements are the leading causes of Obama administration to reestablish diplomatic ties with Cuba.