The myth about how the United States won the Cuban missile crisis made it more difficult for presidents to do what common sense dictated, says CFR president emeritus Les Gelb.

Shannon K. O’Neil, a Latin America expert, says President Obama’s initial exposure to regional leaders in the Americas was positive but no sweeping changes are expected on Cuba or trade policy.

The argument for sustained U.S. diplomatic engagement with Havana has never been more compelling, says CFR’s Julia Sweig.

A UN tribunal’s ruling upholds the need for a rules-based order that counters China’s efforts to turn the South China Sea region into a sphere of influence, says expert Andrew Erickson.