Obama & Raul Castro Shake Hands

The Takeaway | Dec 10, 2013

It was a historic coming together—over 60 heads of state gathered in one place to honor the life of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Today’s memorial in Johannesburg will also be remembered for an unlikely exchange between President Obama and his Cuban counterpart.

Call it the handshake heard around the world, Raúl Castro was one of the many attending to pay their respects. The U.S. President had a kiss for Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff and a hug for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

For the President of Cuba? A handshake.

The cold war history of strained relations between the U.S. and Cuba remains potent more than half a century after Raúl’s brother Fidel seized power.

Many conservatives in the U.S. reacted quickly and harshly to the handshake. Speaking to the Takeaway's Washington Correspondent Todd Zwillich, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) likened the exchange to a previous meeting between Neville Chamberlain & Adolf Hitler.

"Why should you shake hands with someone who is keeping Americans in prison?" asked Sen. McCain.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Jack Schlossberg, the Kennedy Running for Congress in New York. Plus, the Astronaut Reid Wiseman

The candidate on the role of social media in politics, and speaking out against his cousin R.F.K., Jr. Plus, the commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission on the dark side of the moon.

The New Yorker Radio Hour |

NJ Gov. Sherrill: If state police were too aggressive at Delaney Hall, we'll look into it

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill took call after call Wednesday night from people who told her state police had been overly aggressive in violent clashes with protesters outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center this weekend.

Ask Governor Sherrill |

I.C.E.'s "Wartime Recruitment" Campaign

Hiring at the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.

On the Media |

Ask the Mayor Recap and More News From City Hall

Elizabeth Kim discusses the issues Mayor Mamdani talked about in his first "ask the mayor" segment.

The Brian Lehrer Show |