U.S. Cuban Policy: Illusion and Reality

The President’s response to the Cuban threat was a minimal act that neither impressed Khrushchev nor turned the Cold War tide in our favor

The apparent vigor of President Kennedy’s quarantine of Cuba, and the rapidity with which he effected the withdrawal of Russian missiles, left Americans with a false impression. Only in contrast to the feebleness of our previous Cuban policy was this a strong and vigorous act. Given the circumstances, it was the weakest response open to us. It eliminated the most immediate and obvious threat, but no more. And in the process it made concessions that will assist the growth of Communist military power and subversion in this hemisphere.

The President’s response to the Cuban threat was a minimal act that neither impressed Khrushchev nor turned the Cold War tide in our favor

The apparent vigor of President Kennedy’s quarantine of Cuba, and the rapidity with which he effected the withdrawal of Russian missiles, left Americans with a false impression. Only in contrast to the feebleness of our previous Cuban policy was this a strong and vigorous act. Given the circumstances, it was the weakest response open to us. It eliminated the most immediate and obvious threat, but no more. And in the process it made concessions that will assist the growth of Communist military power and subversion in this hemisphere.