Is it my imagination, or is there a sudden flurry of activity related to Cuba . . . ???

June 30: The House Agriculture Committee voted to reverse the Cuban travel ban and ease restrictions on the sale of American agricultural commodities. Supporters view it as a significant step toward normalization of the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. The bill, which would allow American commodities to be sold directly to Cuba and allow some direct financial transactions with Cuban banks, is supported by several business and farming groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Farmers Union.

Early July: Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church announced that 52 political prisoners would be released. The U.S. State Department has called the action “a positive development.”

Early July: Senators of both political parties indicated they have sufficient votes to lift the American travel ban to Cuba. They said they plan to push legislation in the next few weeks.

August 1: Raul Castro says his government will scale back its involvement in the nation’s economy and allow more Cubans to operate their own businesses. He said the aim is to create jobs for nearly 1 million workers ahead of pending government plans to slash as many as one million jobs — 20% of communist Cuba’s work force — from state payrolls.

August 6: Unidentified U.S. officials have indicated that President Obama might ease travel restrictions on Cuba for educational and cultural trips. The official suggested that the revelation may be a trial balloon handed to the media by the Obama administration. Another source said that Obama would restore the “person-to-person” category that allows “purposeful” visits to increase contact between Americans and Cubans.

August 7: Fidel Castro addressed the Cuban National Assembly for the first time since ceding power four years ago in a health crisis that had him near death. His address seemed aimed at underscoring that he was physically back and still in the political fight. In his 10-minute speech, he warned of the perils of nuclear war and a dramatic shakeup of the world order should atomic weapons be unleashed. He was conspicuously silent on Cuba’s economic troubles.