Recent Work

Commentary
Cuba: The Struggle Continues
May 7 - Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cubans have lived through a “special period.” This euphemism stood not only for a drastic decline in the standard of living, but for a sharp alteration of social values as well. Soviet aid vanished along with the advantageous trade with the Soviet bloc. As Cuba’s economy went south, the state broke its part of the social contract: it no longer provided Cubans with their material needs of sufficient food and clothing. Basic health care and education remained, albeit cut back. But the government cut rations by more than half and cheap food disappeared. To survive, each Cuban felt himself morphed from the values of communism (sharing) to the values of individualism (dog eat dog). By Saul Landau, published in Foreign Policy In Focus.

Speech
IPS Fellow Saul Landau Receives Top Chilean Award
April 14 - On such an occasion one says thanks to the Ambassador and his wonderful staff. But where to start? I guess I just need to look around the room, at my friend and colleague Marc Raskin. On the day of the assassination of Orlando and Ronni, he and IPS co-founder Dick Barnet made a courageous decision: not to submit to terrorism. Instead of cowering, they appointed Isabel Morel, Orlando’s widow, to take his place in the struggle against Pinochet’s fascism. Isabel proved herself a formidable opponent, a tireless organizer and speaker, a great woman. Her four sons follow in that tradition. Wonderful young men. I thank them for turning out so well. By Saul Landau.

Commentary
Fidel: Father of Modern Cuba
February 21 - Fidel decided to retire from almost half a century of leadership this week. I saw him last in April 2001. “The worst is over,” he told the person next to me in the hallway. “The issue is developing socialism.” Poking his finger into my chest, he asked about the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico, and the state of poverty in the areas -- far worse than anything Cubans went through. By Saul Landau, published in Counterpunch and Progreso Weekly.

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