Cuban-American Relations

      President Obama was interested in peace with Cuba. I was one of a number of advisers who really liked the idea.  It was decided and 'concluded' rather quickly...  At the direction of Raoul Castro et al, Obama was received like a king with full military honors(but not a squeak of aggression...)  the body language of the meeting honored America's position; Obama seemed entirely dominant but magnanimous. Fidel was displeased according to his statement, as were parts of the pundit class.  Now of course I support American interests over Cuban ones, and it's important that the expatriate community be somewhat satiated...  but to take a studious interest in our nation's policy decisions isn't easy in a few ways...  it is a form of patriotism.  President Trump will bring his own team, style and ideas to White House power, and he will re-shape Cuban-American relations, getting what concessions he sees prudent.  My earlier point, which I meant with all due respect to Priebus, is that the Europeans have already normalized relations and established themselves in Cuba...  It's in our interest to access Cuba's opportunities and to maintain soft power over our hemisphere to some extent, while respecting the sovereignty of other nations.  This is patriotic on the part of President Obama and those who look approvingly on this diplomatic work in progress