Last Wednesday, President Obama announced his decision to improve relations with Cuba.
As of this writing, the pros and cons of that controversial and historic move are still being sorted out.
When it comes to establishing full diplomatic relations with the Castro regime, my vast North American reading audience may be surprised, perhaps stunned, to learn I approve that message. Let me cite some reasons why.
 Remember, the United States of America maintained full diplomatic relations with the old Soviet Union throughout the decades of the Cold War. Presidents -- Democrat and Republican -- recognized the value of engagement over isolation and uneasy peace over uncertain war.
Even “Cold Warrior” President Richard M. Nixon had the vision to visit and “open the door to China” in 1972. This ended years of antipathy between the two nations. It ultimately led to full diplomatic relations under President Carter’s administration in 1979.
And despite our long and bitter war against North Vietnam, the U.S. ended a 19-year embargo on trade with a united Vietnam in February, 1994. We extended full diplomatic recognition to Vietnam July 11, 1995.
One thing Russia, China and Vietnam have in common is communism. At one time, all three were seen as threats to our national security and our way of life. Two out of three are now among our leading trading partners. Though Russia bears watching (no pun intended), China and Vietnam are learning or relearning the virtues of capitalism, if not the virtues of the democracy we know and enjoy.
So if we can recognize our former communist foes, Russia, China and Vietnam, why can’t we recognize Cuba? Whatever threat the Castro regime once posed as a client state for communism has been dissipated by the demise of the Soviet Union and reduced financial support from Venezuela.
Moreover, decades of U.S. sanctions against Cuba have failed to produce the desired result of modifying Fidel Castro’s behavior or removing  him from power. Father Time is doing that. On July 31, 2006, the ailing dictator yielded power to his young whippersnapper brother, then 75-year-old Raul, who served as acting president until he formally succeeded Fidel on Feb. 24, 2008.
When Fidel finally stepped down, he had survived sanctions by ten U.S. Presidents, from Dwight D. Eisenhower all the way to George W. Bush. Those sanctions continue to harm, not the Castro regime, but the Cuban people, whether in Havana, “Little Havana,” or beyond.
Improving relations with Cuba is certainly no threat to the United States. Just 90 miles from the USA, with a population of 11 million educated and energetic citizens, this tiny nation deserves the same courtesies, diplomatic and economic,we’ve extended to our erstwhile enemies afar.
President Obama’s “opening to Cuba” is a pretty good start.
Retired Army Col. Thomas B. Vaughn can be reached at tbvbwmi@blomand.net.