The Cuban Missile Crisis

Military & Diplomacy

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, military readiness reached unprecedented levels as tensions escalated. Gary Arndt explains that the U.S. Strategic Air Command went to DEFCON 2, the highest alert level ever, with B-52 bombers on constant patrol, while Soviet forces surprisingly remained less active 1. Amidst these preparations, diplomatic communications played a crucial role in managing the crisis. Khrushchev sent a message to Kennedy urging for cooler heads to prevail, stating, "We and you ought not now to pull the ends of the ropes in which you have tied the knot of war" 1. This marked the beginning of de-escalation efforts, including backdoor diplomacy and proposals for removing missiles under UN supervision 2.

   

Crisis Resolution

The crisis reached a critical point when a U-2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba, escalating fears of imminent war. Gary Arndt notes that this incident, ordered by Castro, was initially perceived as a Soviet attack, intensifying the situation 2. However, diplomatic channels remained open, with Robert Kennedy negotiating secretly with the Soviet ambassador to prevent further conflict 2. The resolution involved a mutual agreement to remove missiles from Cuba and Turkey, highlighting the importance of communication in averting disaster. Arndt reflects on the sobering nature of the crisis, emphasizing that "cooler heads prevailed" to prevent nuclear war 2.