Back Channel to Cuba
By Peter Kornbluh & William M. LeoGrande
The Hidden History of Negotiations Between Washington and Havana. The University of North Carolina Press, 2014.
Summary of Back Channel to Cuba book by Peter Kornbluh & William M. LeoGrande
The saga of America’s secret liaisons with Cuba in the decades-long fight for normalization, starting in the fifties and ending with President Obama’s breakthrough announcement of compromise, forgiveness, and restored diplomacy.
Chapters in Back Channel to Cuba book summary
What do you get from this book? The true story of America and Cuba’s classified plans for war and peace
The tumultuous relationship between Cuba and America forced politicians to develop back-channel methods of communication
Tension between the US and Cuba intensified when Fidel Castro overthrew his government in 1959
Eisenhower and Castro embarked in a game of one-upmanship that strained economic relations
Kennedy’s failed attempt to overthrow Castro resulted in undisclosed peace talks
Johnson’s aggressive stance against Castro coupled with Kennedy’s assassination disrupted all negotiations
Nixon’s refusal to cooperate with Castro prompted Henry Kissinger to establish hidden lines of communication
Carter’s term began on a positive note but things went wrong when the US refused to heed Castro’s warnings
Reagan appeared open to negotiations, but he was furtively planning ways to remove Castro from power
Clinton’s terms were dominated by Florida-centric events that prevented normalization with Cuba
George W. Bush continued promoting hostile relations with Cuba while Obama advocated hope for a better future
Obama’s cyber war increased friction with Cuba, but goodwill acts restored trust and led to normalization
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Back Channel to Cuba — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Back Channel to Cuba book
- Politicians
- American or foreign ambassadors
- anyone interested in diplomacy
About the author of Back Channel to Cuba
Peter Kornbluh
William LeoGrande is a leading scholar in Latin American foreign affairs and economic relations. From 2003 to 2012, he served as Dean of American University's School of Public Affairs. Peter Kornbluh was an adjunct professor at Columbia University and contributor to The Nation magazine. He served as director of the National Security Archive's Chile Documentation Project.
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