Bullying Cuba into China's arms

It's crazy how much the situation in Cuba encapsulates so much of the Trump Administration's ethos. For those just tuning in, at the beginning of this year, the United States effectively imposed a blockade on the oil that has driven Cuba for decades.

Point 1 - another case of the U.S. bullying a small, basically helpless nation. The latest reports include 40 hour power outages, threatening vulnerable citizens.

Point 2 - Why? What is the justification? That it is a "communist" country? That gives us the right to destroy their economy and their people?

Point 3 - They need help to survive. Their traditional patron Russia is bogged down in Ukraine and can't support Cuba like it used to. The U.S. government apparently hates them. Where do they turn? China is all too happy to help, now establishing a foothold 90 miles from the U.S. mainland.

Point 4 - While the U.S. under the Trump Administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, the rest of the world is turning inexorably to renewables. And in the case of Cuba, turning rapidly using solar technology provided by - guess who - China.

So we are betting on dirty technology that the world is increasingly shunning. Leaving an opening for our greatest geopolitical rival to introduce the clean technology that the world is embracing. And building all of the relationships that go along with that prospect.

And it is personal for Hampton Roads. President Trump has made it clear he intends to overthrow the Cuban government through military means. What military? The men, women, ships, and aircraft of the Atlantic Fleet, already stretched thin from extended deployments to Venezuela and Iran, will be called on once again. It's going to be a long summer.