--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cuba has long played an outsized role in…" description: "\"Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's imagination.\" — Ben Rhodes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg" --- # Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's… ![“Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's imagination.” quote by Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg) > “Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's imagination.” [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cuba’s cultural and political influence is disproportionately large compared to its size. **In simple terms:** Cuba has big impact. Key Takeaway Recognize and study small nations' outsized influence. Themes politics culture geopolitics Mood analytical curious Type educational informative When to use this quote - foreign policy analysis - educational curriculum - media coverage Key Concepts soft power historical legacy Questions to Reflect On - How does Cuba shape global perception? - What factors amplify its role? A Different Perspective Cuba’s influence can be overstated in some narratives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cuba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuba/) [Cuba Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuba-long-3731176/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Outsized Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsized-role-3731177/) [Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-imagination/) ## Related quotes > [While the world of reality has its limits, the world of your imagination is without boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/while-the-world-of-reality-has-its-limits-the-world-of-your/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Here is the world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/here-is-the-world-of-imagination-hopes-and-dreams-in-this-timeless/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [The world of imagination is the world of eternity. It is the divine bosom into which we shall all go after death of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/the-world-of-imagination-is-the-world-of-eternity-it-is-the-divine/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [It is ... through the world of the imagination which takes us beyond the restrictions of provable fact, that we touch the hem of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/it-is-through-the-world-of-the-imagination-which-takes-us-beyond-the/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [The Catholic Church played an integral role in supporting the opening between the U.S. and Cuban governments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-catholic-church-played-an-integral-role-in-supporting-the-opening/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [For more than fifty years, the United States pursued a policy of isolating and pressuring Cuba. While the policy was rooted in the context…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/for-more-than-fifty-years-the-united-states-pursued-a-policy-of/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [We've supported the development of Cuba's private sector. This is a human rights issue - people should have the right to live with dignity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/we-ve-supported-the-development-of-cuba-s-private-sector-this-is-a/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Jose Marti, known as 'the Apostle of Cuban Independence,' was an influential poet, journalist, and political theorist who became a symbol for the Cuban…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/jose-marti-known-as-the-apostle-of-cuban-independence-was-an/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [We want to open up more opportunities for U.S. businesses and travelers to engage with Cuba, and we want the Cuban government to open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/we-want-to-open-up-more-opportunities-for-u-s-businesses-and/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida, but for a long time, the distance between our two countries seemed a lot greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/cuba-is-only-90-miles-from-florida-but-for-a-long-time-the-distance/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [When I think of the things that Trump has done, ironically, everything is sort of - we care so much about Cuba and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/when-i-think-of-the-things-that-trump-has-done-ironically-everything/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Faith leaders, young people, American companies, human rights advocates, and many others have demonstrated a unique interest in our Cuba policy. But no community…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/faith-leaders-young-people-american-companies-human-rights-advocates/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [“On both sides we encounter the idea that the Godhead possesses the power of Imagination, and that by imagining the universe God created it;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-corbin/on-both-sides-we-encounter-the-idea-that-the-godhead-possesses-the/) [Henry Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-corbin/) > [I surrendered to a world of my imagination, reenacting all those wonderful tales my father would read aloud to me. I became a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-wyeth/i-surrendered-to-a-world-of-my-imagination-reenacting-all-those/) [Andrew Wyeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-wyeth/) ## More by Ben Rhodes > [As people who know me know, probably to a fault, I am usually not without thoughts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/as-people-who-know-me-know-probably-to-a-fault-i-am-usually-not/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Following one of the most violent conflicts in human history, the United States and Japan built a deep and abiding friendship - an alliance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/following-one-of-the-most-violent-conflicts-in-human-history-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Americans will forever be proud of the brave men and women of our armed forces who served in World War II, and we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/americans-will-forever-be-proud-of-the-brave-men-and-women-of-our/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [I found people I really wanted to work for; I made myself available to do whatever I could with the skills I had; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/i-found-people-i-really-wanted-to-work-for-i-made-myself-available-to/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Irrespective of our foreign policies, for decades, other nations and peoples could see, in the United States, a strong democracy that could maintain social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/irrespective-of-our-foreign-policies-for-decades-other-nations-and/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > ['Make America great again,' is not that different from Putin's nostalgia for the Soviet Union or tsarist Russia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/make-america-great-again-is-not-that-different-from-putin-s-nostalgia/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [The Benghazi attack was one of the more confusing, chaotic days that we had at work because you had these multiple violent protests taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-benghazi-attack-was-one-of-the-more-confusing-chaotic-days-that/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Our basic assessment was that if America keeps going down these rabbit holes in the Middle East, we're just going to put ourselves out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-basic-assessment-was-that-if-america-keeps-going-down-these/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [To be sure, the United States will be eternally proud of our civilian leaders and the men and women of our armed forces who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/to-be-sure-the-united-states-will-be-eternally-proud-of-our-civilian/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Since taking office, President Obama has pursued a policy that focused more American resources and engagement in the Asia-Pacific, a region that will increasingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/since-taking-office-president-obama-has-pursued-a-policy-that-focused/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [The fact that there were discreet channels of communication established with Iran in 2012 is something that we confirmed publicly. However, we did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/the-fact-that-there-were-discreet-channels-of-communication/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Downturns in migration almost always prove temporary, as people adjust to changes in American enforcement. What doesn't change is the basic human impulse to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/downturns-in-migration-almost-always-prove-temporary-as-people-adjust/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [When I think of the things that Trump has done, ironically, everything is sort of - we care so much about Cuba and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/when-i-think-of-the-things-that-trump-has-done-ironically-everything/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [I think one of the critiques of me is that I thought I knew it all. But I was learning from the enormous resources…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/i-think-one-of-the-critiques-of-me-is-that-i-thought-i-knew-it-all/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) [Explore all 94 Ben Rhodes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) ## More Cuba quotes > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [Part of me believes that Beyonce and Jay-Z were naive when they chose to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary in Cuba. However, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-schlapp/part-of-me-believes-that-beyonce-and-jay-z-were-naive-when-they-chose/) [Mercedes Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-schlapp/) > [Kennedy had made a mess in Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He had to do something to look good. The Apollo program of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-schirra/kennedy-had-made-a-mess-in-cuba-at-the-bay-of-pigs-he-had-to-do/) [Wally Schirra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-schirra/) > [“The war that killed my grandfather and great-uncles and thousands of other blacks is only a footnote in our history books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-garc-a/the-war-that-killed-my-grandfather-and-great-uncles-and-thousands-of/) [Cristina García](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-garc-a/) > [I don't want anything from Cuba. I want them to be free and enjoy the things I enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/i-don-t-want-anything-from-cuba-i-want-them-to-be-free-and-enjoy-the/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [Greece is a sort of American vassal; the Netherlands is the country of American bases that grow like tulip bulbs; Cuba is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/greece-is-a-sort-of-american-vassal-the-netherlands-is-the-country-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Clearly if the United States' relationship with Cuba changed, which would require a regime change inside Cuba, if Cuba moved towards a more democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/clearly-if-the-united-states-relationship-with-cuba-changed-which/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Fidel Castro outlasted U.S. presidents determined to overthrow him, survived the collapse of the communist bloc that sustained him and outlived many of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-gjelten/fidel-castro-outlasted-u-s-presidents-determined-to-overthrow-him/) [Tom Gjelten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-gjelten/) > [Cuba forces in Angola gave a real shot in the arm to the liberation movements, and it also was a lesson to the white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/cuba-forces-in-angola-gave-a-real-shot-in-the-arm-to-the-liberation/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's a growing consensus that the best way to defeat communism in Cuba is to get its citizens hooked on American goods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/there-s-a-growing-consensus-that-the-best-way-to-defeat-communism-in/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [I have my great grandmother's recipe for black beans, all the way from Cuba, and I know how to make those. I'm actually pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-pino/i-have-my-great-grandmother-s-recipe-for-black-beans-all-the-way-from/) [Danny Pino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-pino/) > [A whole series of changes that are in the code, are in the laws of the United States. If Cuba changes its position toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/a-whole-series-of-changes-that-are-in-the-code-are-in-the-laws-of-the/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) [Browse all 654 Cuba quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuba/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's imagination.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Rhodes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in-the-world-s-imagination/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cuba" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in-the-world-s-imagination/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/ben-rhodes-7180_cuba_cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in_1219913.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Cuba has long played an outsized role in the world's imagination.” — Ben Rhodes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Rhodes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Cuba has long played an outsized...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in-the-world-s-imagination/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/cuba-has-long-played-an-outsized-role-in-the-world-s-imagination/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```