Barack Obama talks to Yoani Sanchez

Today, Yoani Sánchez, the Cuban dissident blogger of world fame, posted unbelievable news.

President Barack Obama had answered the seven questions she sent to him—questions that she said keep her awake at night wondering about the future of her country. That future, after all, is so closely intertwined with the choices made by the administrations in Washington and Havana. The full text of her questions and his answers are on her blog (here), but here’s a sample Q&A:

Question 4 (Yoani Sanchez): Raúl Castro has said publicly that he is open to discuss any topic with the U.S. provided there is mutual respect and a level playing field. Is Raúl asking too much?

Answer (Barack Obama): For years, I have said that it is time to pursue direct diplomacy, without preconditions, with friends and foes alike. I am not interested, however, in talking for the sake of talking. In the case of Cuba, such diplomacy should create opportunities to advance the interests of the United States and the cause of freedom for the Cuban people.

We have already initiated a dialogue on areas of mutual concern – safe, legal, and orderly migration, and reestablishing direct mail service. These are small steps, but an important part of a process to move U.S.-Cuban relations in a new and more positive, direction. Achieving a more normal relationship, however, will require action by the Cuban government.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports: “Sánchez, who has received several international awards and blogs regularly for the U.S.-based Huffington Post, said she was satisfied by Obama’s responses, which she described as cautious, moderate, and diplomatic. She has also sent a series of questions to Raúl Castro, but hasn’t received a response yet.”

A response from President Castro is not very likely, since the Cuban state does not tend to trust Sánchez. Just one week ago, she was detained and roughed up by Cuban security agents, who accused her of being a “counter-revolutionary.” In that context, the Castro regime might take Obama’s exchange with her as the wrong kind of signal.

Indeed, Obama’s choice to respond to Yoani Sanchez directly when he will not to speak to the Cuban government might well be received poorly by Cuban officials. But in reality, I think this was an effective tool: he spoke through a dissident that openly spread on-line his message—one that contains no malice and instead indicates willingness to engage Cuba further—and he therefore effectively communicated to the Cuban state the answers to her important questions (answers that are valuable to them, as well). And in so doing he made a tenuous connection among the three parties: alienated “dissident,” Washington and Havana.

Still, this is not necessarily how Obama’s move will be interpreted.