Podcast Summary: Unlearn16: Class is in Session

Episode: The One Where I Take You To Cuba...US Version

Host: Unlearn16
Date: January 20, 2026

Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode, Unlearn16 takes listeners through the complex and turbulent history between Cuba and the United States, using Cuba as a case study to explore themes of colonialism, imperialism, power dynamics, and American foreign policy. The episode seeks to illustrate how the unchecked exercise of superpower status and capitalist interests shapes international relations and justice—particularly through the evolving U.S.-Cuban relationship from Spanish colonial rule, through the Cuban Revolution, the Cold War, and into the present.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Superpowers and the Corruption of Absolute Power

• The episode opens with a reflection on the nature of superpower dynamics:

  "Absolute power corrupts absolutely. I firmly believe that having a multitude of middle powers makes a lot more sense in an international system..." (01:00)

• Unlearn16 argues that superpowers, notably the U.S., wield power with impunity, often making decisions that benefit a select group while creating global instability and injustice.

2. Spanish Colonization and the Wiping Out of Indigenous Cuba

• The host recounts how Spain erased Cuba’s indigenous population and established dominance:

  "Spain colonized Cuba for all intents and purposes and wiped out the entirety of their indigenous population. There are no people indigenous to Cuba because Spain wiped them." (03:00)

3. American Intervention: From the Spanish-American War to the Platt Amendment

• Cuba’s early fight for independence (1898) and U.S. involvement are outlined:

  "In 1898, Spain wanted to—or, sorry, Cuba wanted to have their independence...they leaned...heavily on...the United States of America." (05:20)

• The U.S. military and economic occupation sets the stage for long-term imperial influence:

  "The better way, the cleaner way, the cheaper way was to descend McDonald's...Meaning I am going to send business owners, business leaders...and that imperialistic connection is going to allow the lion's share of the natural resources and the money to be siphoned from that particular territory, head back to the United States." (08:05)

4. Economic Imperialism: U.S. Control of Cuban Industry

• U.S. businessmen, with political backing, dominate Cuba’s economy, exploiting resources with little benefit to Cubans:

  "U.S. business leaders basically were the entire Cuban economy. And all of the lion's shares of the profits went right out of Cuba and into American business owners pockets." (10:10)

5. Support for Dictatorial Regimes and the Inevitable Revolution

• The U.S. supports dictators—like Batista—to maintain business interests:

  "They end up supporting this level of dictator and, and corrupt business leader that has made ties...with American businessmen in order to bolster...their economic interest in Cuba, all the while oppressing the rest of the actual Cuban people below." (12:00)

• The oppression leads to the 1959 Cuban Revolution led by Castro.

6. Revolution, Communism, and Retaliation

• Castro's revolution ousts Batista, ushers in communism, and nationalizes foreign businesses:

  "The reason why the revolution happened is what we should be focused on. Because the people...were so, so angry and so desperate...They didn't care. This wasn't a viable, useful system." (13:00)

• The U.S. responds with embargoes, driving Cuba toward the Soviet Union and escalating Cold War tensions.

7. Bay of Pigs and the Cold War Chessboard

• Discusses the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and Cuba’s firm alignment with the USSR:

  "The CIA led a Bay of Pigs invasion, attempts to overthrow Castro. It's an utter disaster." (15:45)

• Underscores the ideological (not just political) battle between capitalism and communism.

8. The Cuban Missile Crisis: Brinkmanship at its Peak

• Details the 1962 standoff, recounts the Hollywood-level tension:

  "This particular incident felt very much like that. Who is going to turn first? ...And at the very last conceivable moment, the Soviet ship turns around." (25:10)

• The host highlights Kennedy’s leadership, Khrushchev’s bluff, and the “loss of the Cold War” defined by the USSR “blinking first”:

  "In that moment, the whole world watched the USSR blink. ...From 1962 on, they lost their pink slip." (28:00)

9. Hypocrisy and the Illusion of Moral Superiority

• Unlearn16 challenges American self-image as a benevolent superpower, referencing the simultaneous deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Turkey:

  "During the time the United States, with all of their righteous indignation about how dare they tip the scales...the United States already had Jupiter missiles, nuclear missiles in Turkey pointed at the Soviet Union..." (31:30)

10. Modern Parallels and Ongoing Power Imbalances

• Connects historic events to contemporary politics, criticizing recent U.S. administrations (Obama, Trump) and ongoing embargoes:

  "They don't stop being communists, but they're still angry, right? You have Obama trying to open things up, and now you have the Trump administration reversing everything..." (35:00)

• The lack of true international checks and balances in foreign policy is laid bare:

  "The United States has no constitutional obligation to do what's right for this world. ...The only person stopping the United States in its foreign policy, Donald Trump or whoever sitting in the Presidential house at that particular time." (38:40)

11. Limits and Dangers of the International System

• Critiques international law and institutions as toothless against superpower will:

  "The UN is not...a supranational organization...International law only has cause and effect if people are willing to back it up...The military. The United States isn't." (41:30)

• Warns about the risks posed by desperate adversaries willing to "do anything," drawing parallels to American guerilla tactics during the Revolution.

12. Reflections on Justice, History, and Who Writes the Narrative

• The episode closes on the difference between “freedom fighter” and “terrorist,” noting:

  "The only difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter is who won." (55:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On American Imperialism via Capitalism:

  "The better way, the cleaner way, the cheaper way was to descend McDonald's...I mean that in a metaphoric way." (08:05)

• On Hypocrisy in Foreign Policy:

  "You can't have the good guy image for too long when you're built on a mound of hypocrisy...you can't sit there and ignore the means with which you've gained your political, economic and military power." (32:20)

• On the Threat of Desperation:

  "When you have nothing to lose, you will do anything. Your will is bigger. When your will is bigger, you will do more horrific, more damaging, more surprising things." (47:10)

• On Superpower Checks and the Modern U.S.:

  "The only person stopping the United States in its foreign policy, Donald Trump or whoever sitting in the Presidential house at that particular time. He's not wrong. This is the flaw in our international system." (39:00)

• Final Reflection:

  "The only difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter is who won.” (55:40)

Important Timestamps and Segments

• 01:00 – Superpower dynamics and corruption of absolute power
• 03:00 – Spain’s colonization and devastation of Cuba’s indigenous population
• 05:20 – U.S. involvement in Cuban independence and occupation post-1898
• 08:05 – Rise of economic imperialism; McDonald’s metaphor
• 10:10 – U.S. business domination of Cuban economy
• 12:00 – U.S.-backed dictatorship and oppression
• 13:00 – 1959 Revolution, Castro, and pushback against foreign control
• 15:45 – Bay of Pigs and Cuba’s turn to the Soviet Union
• 21:00 – Overview of the Cold War as an economic struggle
• 25:10 – Cuban Missile Crisis play-by-play and the "game of chicken"
• 28:00 – Consequences of the crisis; the USSR “blinks”
• 31:30 – U.S. hypocrisy: nuclear missiles in Turkey
• 35:00 – Shifts from Obama to Trump in U.S. policy towards Cuba
• 38:40 – The unchecked power of the U.S. presidency in foreign policy
• 41:30 – The limitations of the U.N. and international law
• 47:10 – The danger of desperate adversaries
• 55:40 – The blurred line between terrorist and freedom fighter

Overall Tone & Listener Utility

Unlearn16 delivers the narrative with a blend of wit, sarcasm, and accessible metaphor, guiding listeners through dense political history with clarity and emotional engagement. The host challenges listeners to question accepted narratives about “good guys” and world order, providing both a critical history lesson and a warning about the perils of unchecked power.

This episode is essential listening for those seeking a nuanced understanding of Cuba-U.S. relations, Cold War politics, and the consequences of American exceptionalism.