Tom's Take

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.amanpour.writer.jpg caption="Sr. Writer Tom Evans"]

On AMANPOUR. today, what should the world do about Cuba? Most countries agree that the 50-year-old U.S. policy of political isolation and economic sanctions is a relic of the Cold War and simply does not work. But is that policy changing? Also, on November 18, Human Rights Watch released a damming report describing human rights abuses in Cuba. Yet the report also calls on the U.S. to shift from a policy of outright regime change to a policy of working with Cuba’s current government to promote human rights, and lift its embargo.  Christiane examines the options for addressing Cuba in today’s show. There are of course other headlines in the news today. Here are my perspectives on some other stories.

– Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

IRAN – Will the Iranian president’s visit to Brazil give Tehran more influence in Latin America?

–         Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Brasilia today for talks with Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

–         It’s the Iranian president’s first visit to Brazil, which also maintains close ties with Israel and other countries trying to slow Tehran’s nuclear ambitions

–         Da Silva says it’s not a good idea to “corner” Iran

–         Critics say visit will simply give Tehran more legitimacy after disputed elections in June and subsequent violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters

QUESTION: Will Ahmadinejad’s visit to Brasilia enhance Brazil’s global image or damage U.S.-Brazilian ties?

INDIA-U.S. – Are India and the United States moving closer to an alliance?

–         India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh has arrived in Washington for three-day state visit this week

–         His trip is the first state visit of the Obama Administration, signifying the importance Washington attaches to the growing ties between the U.S. and India

–         For U.S., India is a key player in the Indian subcontinent that could be capable of helping bring stability to the region

–         For India, U.S. is a potential counterweight to China, which is a close ally of Pakistan and has unresolved border disputes with New Delhi

QUESTION: How important will India be to the United States in the years ahead as the geo-political stakes increase in South Asia?

RUSSIA-FRANCE – Are Russia and France forging military links?

–         Russia considering buying a French-built amphibious warfare ship that could be the first of a new class of warships for the Russian navy

–         A French navy ship of the same type is visiting St. Petersburg this week amid reports France could be the first NATO country to sell a warship to Russia

–         “Mistral” class ship capable of carrying more than a dozen helicopters and dozens of tanks and other armored vehicles, and could cost Moscow $750 million

–         Russian neighbors fear new amphibious warfare ships for Russia could help Moscow intimidate its neighbors and flex its military muscles in disputes such as the one with Georgia

QUESTION:  Do warming military ties between France and Russia signify at least tacit recognition by Paris of a Russian sphere of influence in Moscow’s so-called “near abroad” in the Caucasus region and elsewhere?