It wasn't the embargo, nor the cessation of diplomatic relations. It wasn't the travel ban, nor the plots to give him exploding cigars. Rather, it looks like old age is what did Fidel Castro in. Our strategy of isolating him and his countrymen was worthless. It merely impoverished his people and, many believe, strengthened his regime, as if he couldn't deliver all of the economic benefits his citizens might want, at least he could involve them in a grand struggle against a cruel superpower. Narrative may not keep you warm at night, but it gives you something to think about while you wait for morning. And that should give us something to think about as we consider similarly misguided strategies against Iran and other countries we're feeling too churlish to talk out our differences with. In any case, Castro's retirement at least gives us the rhetorical cover to end the senseless embargo and travel ban that we've had on Cuba for so long. Steve Clemons has the state of play on that.
