A comprehensive study of US and Canadian foreign policy in Cuba.

A Cooperative Disagreement demonstrates how the United States and Canada successfully kept divergent policies on revolutionary Cuba from damaging their bilateral relationship. Covering the period from 1959 to the end of the Cold War, John Dirks investigates the efforts of US and Canadian diplomats and bureaucrats to cooperate despite their respective approaches toward Cuba. Washington sought the downfall of the Communist regime through political and economic isolation. Ottawa chose engagement instead. The burden fell largely on Canada, as the smaller power, to mitigate potential frictions. Ultimately, these two North American powers continued to adhere to the hard policy boundaries set by their own governments while establishing a mutually beneficial relationship on issues of intelligence, travel, and other areas of engagement with Cuba. Drawing on archival documents from both sides of the border, many newly declassified, this comprehensive study reveals how officials in  Washington and Ottawa managed to preserve bilateral harmony despite ongoing policy divergence.