So wandelte sich in einigen Regionen der Welt vieles zum Guten, während andere Gebiete in der Zeit stehen geblieben sind, um sich nun ganz allein durchzuschlagen. Eines dieser unveränderten Länder ist Kuba, trotz Fidel Castros Entscheidung, sich zurückzuziehen und die Zügel der Macht an seinen Bruder Raul zu übergeben.
Five years ago, the European Union was on the verge of fulfilling one of the aspirations of the Velvet Revolutions that swept across Central and Eastern Europe by expanding from 15 to 25 members through the accession of several post-communist states. Yet, while the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain may have fallen into the dustbin of history, others vestiges of the Soviet era remain firmly in place.  Certain areas of the world have been transformed for the better, even as others have been suspended in time to fend for themselves.  One place that has not changed is Cuba, despite Fidel Castro’s decision to retire and hand the reigns of power over to his brother Raul.