A Simmering Cyberwar With Cuba

Alan Gross, a US contractor, awaits trial in Cuba on the charge of “Actions Against the Independence and Territorial Integrity of the State,” reports Nick Miroff for the Global Post. He’s charged with traveling to Cuba as a tourist with the intent of installing unrestricted internet access. Such unlicensed communications are forbidden by the Cuban government. His trial holds some broad foreign-policy implications: Imprisonment for Gross could delay the Obama administration’s goal of improving relations between the two countries. The trial also spotlights Cuba’s internet dilemma – whether the nation should expand access to the general public or maintain tight restrictions. Even more importantly, the issues test the unity of Cuban government leadership, especially young leaders who do not necessarily view public internet access as a threat. After observing the popular revolts and role of the internet in the Middle East, Cuban leaders want to ensure that any internet connections on the island are within their control. – YaleGlobal