In spite of the celebratory comments coming from the pseudo-left in the US, this retired sociology professor argues that the recent rapprochement toward Cuba by the US is nothing more than a belated recognition that the one-track policy of military threats, subversive actions, and economic sanctions is no longer effective. However, in areas of Latin America such as Venezuela which reject US's "soft" strategies, the directors are beefing up their "hard" strategies. And in places where hard policies are effective as in Central America, they continue using them. It all depends on what's necessary to get compliance with Empire interests of profit and power.
After a decade and a half of hard knocks, repeated failures of its ‘big stick’ policies, rejection of US-centered integration schemes and multiple resounding defeats of its client-politicians at the ballot box, Washington finally began to ‘rethink’ its ‘one track’ policy and tentatively explore a limited ‘two track’ approach.In this globalized world in which the Empire directors operate, one can expect the same two-track treatment within the US. On the one hand they offer us crumbs in form of a relaxation on restrictions regarding marriage between same sex couples and marijuana use, on the other hand we can expect a continuation of militarized police forces, non-prosecution of police crimes, and 24/7 surveillance.
The ‘two-tracks’, however, encompass polarities clearly marked by the recent past. While the Obama regime opened negotiations and moved toward establishing relations with Cuba, it escalated the military threats toward Venezuela by absurdly labeling Caracas as a ‘national security threat to the US.’