Mar 22, 2017

Rare survey finds Cubans are hungry for stronger U.S. ties

Fernando Medina / AP

A rare survey of 840 Cubans, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, revealed that many Cubans are clamoring for more economic opportunity, a chance to leave Cuba, and a new era of normalized relations with the U.S., per the N.Y. Times. Of those interviewed:

  • More than half said they would like to leave the country if given a chance, and 70% of those individuals said they would move to the U.S. if they could.
  • 55% felt better relations with the U.S. would be a good thing, while only 3% felt it would be bad.
  • 95% said having a high level of economic growth was an extremely important goal, but only 30% felt the Cuban economy will improve in the next 3 years.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has said it's conducting a full review of its Cuba policy, and the president may choose to cut ties with the country again.

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Trump announces normalization of ties between Israel and UAE

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President Trump announced a "historic" deal Thursday which will see Israel and the UAE open full diplomatic relations and Israel suspend its annexation plans in the West Bank.

Why it matters: This is a major breakthrough for Israel, which lacks diplomatic recognition in many Middle Eastern countries but has been steadily improving relations in the Gulf, largely due to mutual antipathy toward Iran.

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