The Current Discussion: With Castro gone, will Cuba become America's 51st state?

With Castro gone, Cuba will not become America's 51st state. Washington, however, should try to achieve that, perhaps by lifting the trade embargo and extending a free trade agreement to Havana.

Economic liberalization will bring political liberation -- as we're constantly being told that it would be the case for China. Therefore, the U.S. has been trading with the Asian communist state as if there's no tomorrow, achieving a record trade deficit of US$256 billion in 2007. However, we're also told, this formula doesn't apply to Cuba, another communist state.

If denying trade with Cuba is the way to press for positive changes on the island state, then denying trade with China should also be the way to press for positive changes in the mainland state. If trading with China is the way to open up the communist giant, then trading with Cuba should be the way to open up the small communist state.

Well, the China Exception somehow creeps in again, doesn't it?

Intellectual honesty and policy consistency demands the lifting of the embargo against Cuba. After all, the embargo has failed to bring the downfall of Castro for decades. It's time to try something different. If free trade with Cuba could bring progress to the people there, it may strengthen the case in China where free trade has, so far, failed to bring any magic.

Fidel Castro has resigned from a position he was never elected to in the first place. Unfortunately, its poison might outlast the beast itself. The U.S. must try harder to help the people in Cuba. Lift the embargo -- let the Cubans make dollars instead of relying on Hugo Chávez more.

The Current Discussion: Are the U.S. and Europe right to recognize Kosovo and continue to poke Russia with a stick?

I'm very glad the U.S. and Europe have regained some guts in international politics and recognized Kosovo. It's the right thing to do even though Russia may understandably feel being poked with a stick.

I could only wish the U.S. and Europe would have the same courage to poke a stick to another big power in order to support another independence-seeking smaller nation. But I share with the sentiment in this editorial from Taiwan's Liberty Times that the island state won't be able to follow Kosovo's footsteps anytime soon. In fact, Taiwan has already extended it recognition towards Kosovo but Pristina has yet to reciprocate Taipei.

Kosovo poses a dilemma for China. If Beijing is to recognize Pristina, the Chinese communists worry that it would set another precedent for Taipei's cause. If China is to make life more difficult for Kosovo, there's a chance for Pristina to establish ties with Beijing's enemy at the end of the day.

Without the support from the U.S., Kosovo would not have been able to become independent. In the same vein, Taiwan won't be able to formalize its independence without the support from the U.S. Washington has just done a right thing in Europe. Washington should follow suit in Asia.