The World Cup provides a unique diplomatic opportunity for North American co-hosts (US, Canada, Mexico) to overcome deep historical and political frictions. Despite ongoing economic tensions and border disputes, the region maintains profound integration, evidenced by $1 trillion in annual cross-border trade and large trans-national populations. The shared cultural experience of major global events can transcend nationalistic divides, allowing leaders to refocus on common ground. Policymakers should leverage such moments to promote cooperation and build social bridges, mitigating geopolitical disputes that threaten continental stability.
Cuba’s Only Choice
English Summary
The article argues that Cuba's severe economic collapse, driven by U.S. sanctions and oil blockades, makes continued political resistance unsustainable. Facing internal divisions and external pressure, Havana's only viable path is a negotiated settlement that avoids humanitarian catastrophe. The U.S. has leveraged secondary sanctions and legal threats, demanding Cuba sever security ties with Russia and China while liberalizing its economy. For stability, the U.S. must structure a sequenced deal: Cuba makes substantial concessions (e.g., opening to private investment and political reforms) in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and allowing foreign capital, thus averting both regime collapse and potential U.S. military intervention.
中文摘要
本文論述，古巴嚴重的經濟崩潰源於美國的制裁和石油封鎖，使得持續的政治抵抗難以為繼。面對內部分裂和外部壓力，哈瓦那唯一的可行出路是達成一項避免人道災難的談判性和解。美國透過利用次級制裁和法律威脅，要求古巴切斷與俄羅斯和中國的安全聯繫，並實現經濟自由化。為確保穩定，美國必須制定一個分階段的協議：古巴需做出重大讓步（例如開放私人投資和進行政治改革），以換取制裁的解除和外資的進入，從而避免政權崩潰和潛在的美國軍事干預。
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