William LeoGrande

Henry Olson, senior fellow and commentator on conservative politics. William LeoGrande, American University professor and Cuba expert. Adam Smith, ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. They discuss U.S. policy and political reactions to the Iran conflict. They examine Cuba’s economic crisis and U.S. pressure. They analyze CPAC’s framing of international threats and implications for Republican politics.

William LeoGrande, a longtime scholar of U.S.-Cuba relations and professor of government, breaks down Cuba’s fuel shortages and economic collapse. He discusses tightened U.S. sanctions, the halt of Venezuelan oil shipments, and the migration surge. He also outlines risks from Russian oil deliveries and how economic pressure, not invasion, shapes U.S. aims.

Tess Bridgman, co-editor of Just Security and former deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council, joins William LeoGrande, a government professor specializing in U.S.-Latin America relations. They dive into the recent U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, debating its legality and historical precedents. Bridgman discusses the implications of U.S. sanctions and the complexities of maritime law, while LeoGrande raises concerns about regional escalation and the political motives behind regime change efforts. Their conversation highlights serious legal and ethical questions surrounding U.S. actions.