To not arouse suspicion, you continue your original plans to visit Ohio and Illinois, all whilst the newly-assembled special board discusses the best plan of action back in Washington. Just before you leave, you get a surprise visit from the Soviet Minister.
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class ="idpic" src="https://global.unitednations.entermediadb.net/assets/mediadb/services/module/asset/downloads/preset/assets/2019/02/123889-Andrei-Gromyko.jpg/image1170x530cropped.jpg">Andrei Gromyko</div>Greetings, Mr. United States himself. I came all this way to reassure you that the recent Soviet aid to Cuba is purely defensive, and poses no threat to the US.</div>
He holds out his hand with a yellow frosted cupcake with a smiley face and thumbs up on it.
You keep a straight face and take the offering, being sure not to give any hints that you know about the missile base.
Your flight goes well, but after a few days, it is clear that this issue is too pressing to continue the PR tour. You tell the press you have a fever in order to get back to Washington pronto. The board has been stewing, and everyone has their own perspective on the best course of action:
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/EXCOMM_meeting%2C_Cuban_Missile_Crisis%2C_29_October_1962.jpg">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class ="idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Portrait_of_Ambassador_Adlai_E._Stevenson_II_%28cropped%29.jpg">Adlai Stevenson</div>Mr. President– To start or to risk starting a nuclear war is bound to give us a negative perception. Before we do anything we should consider making it clear the existence of nuclear missile bases anywhere is negotiable.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>Khrushchev doesn't know we are informed yet. I think it would be more beneficial to take advantage of our leverage and surprise them before it's too late. We could attempt to launch an airstrike at the missile sites, eliminating the threat.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/115799-050-79B49D6A/Robert-S-McNamara-1967.jpg">Robert McNamara</div>Let's just say we launch an airstrike and it succeeds– What does Khrushchev do next? He retaliates. Not only would he feel inclined to take Berlin, the country we publicly promised to defend at any cost, but he may also fire back. Even if only a few bombs get through to destroy an American city, you, the one who just initiated the nuclear war, will have to be responsible for the worst catastrophe in the history of this country.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label>
<img class= "idpic" src="https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/historical-films/images/9/98/George_Ball_%28James_Karen%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20230808054700">George Ball</div>What if we blockade Cuba, preventing the Soviet Union from shipping materials to it that would further the production of the missiles. Of course, blockades are highly illegal, but we could just call it a "naval quarantine."</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class ="idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Portrait_of_Ambassador_Adlai_E._Stevenson_II_%28cropped%29.jpg">Adlai Stevenson</div>Your "quarantine" risks not doing enough. We have no idea how many missiles are ready to fire at this instant, and illegally preventing shipments of materials might just give them a reason to do so.
</div>
After a long, five hour discussion, it becomes clear a decision must be made.
---
[[Air strike]]
Eliminate the threat by force
[[Proceed diplomatically]]
Contact the leader of the soviet union, Nikita Khrushchev
[[Quarantine]]
Slow the production of the missiles
<div class="spoiler"><details><summary>Reveal historical choice (spoiler)</summary>Kennedy chose to blockade Cuba in hopes it would slow the production of the missiles, calling it a naval quarantine to avoid legal repercussions.</details></div>You will never forget the morning the missiles hit The United States.
Your national security advisor shakes you awake.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>Mr. President! Mr. President! We didn't get all the missiles! Follow me to the bomb shelter this instant!</div>
</style>
<img src="https://media4.giphy.com/media/8IeIH9qXHEbw4/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47uu66j4wparkdqztqjqehto49rip77jrhm4vjwwo7&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g">
Millions of Americans in sorrow, hundreds of thousands of Americans dead, and one American who caused it.
You have failed as a president, but the people of America still look towards you to make one final decision.
---
[[Fire back]]
Fight for america
[[Declare defeat]]
End the war, but lose itIn order to proceed diplomatically, you must inform the Soviets that you are aware of the missiles in some way. Early the next morning you head downstairs to find only two people discussing in the board room.
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>Tonight might be a good time to inform the nation about the missiles in Cuba before suspicions rise too much.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMmQwYjE1ZDctNmI3NS00ZWE2LTliMDctM2RkNDBlMmZjYWE1XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg">John McCone</div>Now might not be the optimal date to release this classified information to the public. Contacting Khrushchev’s advisors privately instead might prevent unnecessary humiliation.</div>
---
[[Inform public about missiles]]
[[Contact Khrushchev privately]] You decide blocking Soviet missile construction from continuing is a good balance between avoiding nuclear war, and looking strong in the public eye.
<img src="https://media.defense.gov/2019/Oct/15/2002195071/-1/-1/0/191015-D-D0441-003.JPG">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>Tonight might be a good time to inform the nation about the missiles in Cuba before suspicions rise too much.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMmQwYjE1ZDctNmI3NS00ZWE2LTliMDctM2RkNDBlMmZjYWE1XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg">John McCone</div>Now might not be the optimal date to release this classified information to the public. Contacting Khrushchev’s advisors privately instead might prevent unnecessary humiliation.</div>
---
[[Inform public about missiles]]
[[Contact Khrushchev privately]]
<div class="spoiler"><details><summary>Reveal historical choice (spoiler)</summary>Kennedy chose to inform the public about the missiles in hopes it would frame his perception positively and put pressure on Khruschev to remove them.</details></div>(text-style:"Shudder")[All is quiet in Washington.
The only faint sound that can be heard is the wind blowing ashes across the barren land.
I stand alone, my feet planted tenderly into the ground.
There is no more Washington,
No more Moscow,
No more Capitol,
No more Kremlin,
No more Kennedy,
No more Khrushchev,
No more Americans,
No more Russians.
There are no more wars.
Only a few poor souls left behind to live on this drifting rock.]Americans who once looked up at you now roll their eyes whenever you speak on television. Though you made many mistakes, you made the right decision to back down.
You chose to prevent nuclear war, ''at your cost''.
<img src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f6ecd4efe94b7e1e2af5b3a07b0fe3f4c458256a/0_283_2700_1619/master/2700.jpg?width=465&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=41698daf3d0f26202ce6359afe8361d3">
(At least maybe in this branch of history you won't get shot in the head next year)Taylor, the US army chairman has a good point. You draft a speech to be recited at 7:00 pm. You mention Khrushchev lied openly about defensive missiles in Cuba, boosting your public perception and projecting the United States as a strong nation.
(if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[You explain why there are ships stationed around the borders of Cuba, and make it clear there should be no more shipments of soviet materials entering the perimeter.]
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Kennedy_Giving_Historic_Speech_to_Congress_-_GPN-2000-001658.jpg/1920px-Kennedy_Giving_Historic_Speech_to_Congress_-_GPN-2000-001658.jpg?_=20090409143053">
After the speech you receive a frantically written letter from the leader of the Soviet Union:
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://i.namu.wiki/i/LdsCw4QSxOfBY1oGaII52ywz5yIoIjGZlPCBMo5xI46bxyYg3qVHMsPJJ2kfTjJUrd6Qq2WF9vSYMT-Dw-_idQ.webp">Nikita Khrushchev</div>
(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:grey)[//President Kennedy of the United States, your perspective towards preventing nuclear war relieves me. I have seen your humiliating speech directed towards me, and am willing to make a deal:
If you publicly declare the United States will not invade Cuba, (if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[and remove your quarantine from it,] we will halt shipments of resources to Cuba, and promptly remove our nuclear weapons from it.
These issues have so far not been resolved, but they are awaiting urgent solution.
Sincerely yours,
N. Khrushchev
//]</div>
---
[[Decline Letter ->Air strike]]
Remove the missiles by force
[[Accept Letter ->Accept(public)]]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[Agree to:
1. Not attack Cuba
2. Remove Quarantine from Cuba
and Khrushchev will remove the Soviet missiles in Cuba](if:(history: where its name contains "Proceed diplomatically")'s length >= 1)[If you promise not to attack Cuba, Khrushchev will remove the missiles stationed there.]
<div class="spoiler"><details><summary>Reveal historical choice (spoiler)</summary>Kennedy chose to accept Khruschev's proposal, as declining would risk escalating to nuclear war.</details></div>You compose a letter to Khrushchev telling him he went too far, and asking him to remove the missiles.
You recieve a thougtfully written letter in response from the leader of the Soviet Union:
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://i.namu.wiki/i/LdsCw4QSxOfBY1oGaII52ywz5yIoIjGZlPCBMo5xI46bxyYg3qVHMsPJJ2kfTjJUrd6Qq2WF9vSYMT-Dw-_idQ.webp">Nikita Khruschev</div>
(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:grey)[//President Kennedy of the United States, your perspective towards preventing nuclear war relieves me. Despite this, surely you recognise your proposal is complete nonsense– you cannot expect us to remove our missiles without something in return. Below are my terms:
1. You will declare that the United States will not invade Cuba with its troops, and will not support any other forces which might intend to invade Cuba.
(if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[2. You will lift your unnecessary quarantine from Cuba.
3. You will remove all of your defensive missiles stationed in Turkey.](if:(history: where its name contains "Proceed diplomatically")'s length >= 1)[2. You will remove all of your "defensive" missiles stationed in Turkey.]
If all of these terms are met, we will promptly remove our missiles stationed in Cuba.
These issues have so far not been resolved, but they are awaiting urgent solution. We are prepared for this.
Respectfully yours,
N. Khrushchev
//]</div>
<img src="https://cdn-iladncp.nitrocdn.com/HqlEixensysOTCVgzDQPqXypWdYAZutW/assets/images/optimized/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/413909aa8aea61fd8b42039246e57bfc.Jupiter_emplacement_US-Air-Force.jpg">
---
[[Accept]]
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQcAAojl7VJ6qmfZT7HMtbyjX3bUOtysRui_g&s">Dean Rusk</div>Since the public is oblivious, removing the missiles stationed in Turkey shouldn't hurt your perception much.</div>
[[Decline->Air strike]]
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://spartacus-educational.com/JFKdillon2.jpg">Douglas Dillon</div>If there's one thing I know about Khrushchev is that he likes to spin the truth. There's no telling what he may have planned. The only way to win this war is to take it for ourselves, and remove the missiles in Cuba by force.</div>It feels as if a huge weight has been lifted off your chest now that you and Khrushchev have made an agreement. Because of this, you decide to go out with your wife Jacqueline.
<img src="https://www.irishcentral.com/uploads/article/116918/cropped_jackie_john_f_kennedy___getty.jpg?t=1636578571">
You walk home feeling full and satisfied, but the national security advisor rushes towards you.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>Mr. President, I have horrible news for you. One of our U2 reconnaissance planes was just shot down over Cuban territory. We need your stance on this immediately!</div>
<img src="https://arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bostonglobe.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CR2T6IA7QII6FBP6ZITOFQRMHI.jpg">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>We must show the Soviets that they can’t attack us without consequences! As soon as we agreed to not attack them, they attack us?! This cannot be tolerated, we must fight back and take Cuba.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/115799-050-79B49D6A/Robert-S-McNamara-1967.jpg">Robert McNamara</div>We were the ones flying unauthorised planes over their heads in the first place. We cannot risk attacking them over one death, especially since we just told the entire world we wouldn't.</div>
---
[[Ignore U2 plane]]
Continue as if nothing happened
[[Attack Cuba->Fire back]]
Get back at the Soviet Union for betraying americaYou decide to take the risk and pretend you never saw the 2nd letter.
Millions watch your face on television that evening. You promise to the nation that you will not attack Cuba, and sneakily leave out the notion of removing missiles from Turkey.
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/President_Kennedy_addresses_nation_on_Civil_Rights%2C_11_June_1963.jpg/500px-President_Kennedy_addresses_nation_on_Civil_Rights%2C_11_June_1963.jpg">
After the broadcast you have nothing left to do but hope that Khrushchev doesn't notice your not-so-subtle changing of the agreement. When you get back to the whitehouse, however, the national security advisor greets you with a worried face.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>Mr. President, I have horrible news for you. One of our U2 reconnaissance planes was just shot down over Cuban territory. We need your stance on this immediately!</div>
<img src="https://arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bostonglobe.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CR2T6IA7QII6FBP6ZITOFQRMHI.jpg">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>We must show the Soviets that they can’t attack us without consequences! As soon as we agreed to not attack them, they attack us?! This cannot be tolerated, we must fight back and take Cuba.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/115799-050-79B49D6A/Robert-S-McNamara-1967.jpg">Robert McNamara</div>We were the ones flying unauthorised planes over their heads in the first place. We cannot risk attacking them over one death, especially since we just told the entire world we wouldn't.</div>
---
[[Ignore U2 plane]]
Continue as if nothing happened
[[Attack Cuba->Fire back]]
Get back at the Soviet Union for betraying america
<div class="spoiler"><details><summary>Reveal historical choice (spoiler)</summary>Kennedy chose to not fight back and ignore the U2 plane, as to not escalate hostility.</details></div>Millions watch your face on television that evening. You promise to the nation that you will not attack Cuba, and will remove all the missiles in Turkey.
After the broadcast it feels as if a huge weight has been lifted off your chest, now that you and Khrushchev have made an agreement. However, when you get back to the White House after the speech, the national security advisor greets you with a worried face.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>Mr. President, I have horrible news for you. One of our U2 reconnaissance planes was just shot down over Cuban territory. We need your stance on this immediately!</div>
<img src="https://arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bostonglobe.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CR2T6IA7QII6FBP6ZITOFQRMHI.jpg">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg/250px-Maxwell_D_Taylor_official_portrait.jpg"> General Maxwell Taylor</div>We must show the Soviets that they can’t attack us without consequences! As soon as we agreed to not attack them, they attack us?! This cannot be tolerated, we must fight back and take Cuba.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/115799-050-79B49D6A/Robert-S-McNamara-1967.jpg">Robert McNamara</div>We were the ones flying unauthorised planes over their heads in the first place. We cannot risk attacking them over one death, especially since we just told the entire world we wouldn't.</div>
---
[[Ignore U2 plane]]
Continue as if nothing happened
[[Attack Cuba->Fire back]]
Get back at the Soviet Union for betraying america''//October 16, 1962//''
You wake up in a pool of sweat. Something feels off, as if life had paused, waiting for you to make your next move. You have been feeling like this a lot lately, like the silence in between important actions has been getting louder. Maybe it's from the pressure of carrying an entire country on your shoulders, or just the dry autumn air getting to you. Your attention keeps wandering to the next election; To be re-elected, you must be perceived as a strong, defensive leader, not cowardly and submissive.
You stare at the plate in front of you, finding yourself more focused on the distant sound of dishes being put away in the kitchen rather than the meal presented to you. Just as you start to lean your back against the chair, you hear a stern knock on the door. Before you can respond, the national security advisor McGeorge Bundy rushes in with a Manila folder tucked under his arm.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>Mr. Kennedy, the aerial scans of Cuba have just arrived, you must see this immediately!</div>
<img src="https://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/images/sub/oct16/cmc_u2_photo.jpg">
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>We have proof a Soviet missile base is under construction near San Cristobal Cuba. The back page shows a map of the attack radius. </div>
<img src="https://worldhistorycommons.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/1962%20Missile%20Range%2C%20Cuba.jpg">
You sit in awe, this is exactly what Khrushchev, the dastardly leader of the soviet union promised he wouldn't do.
<div class=speaker><div class=label> <img class=idpic src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Advisors%2C_McGeorge_Bundy_-_NARA_-_192530.tif_%28cropped%29.jpg">McGeorge Bundy</div>We must make sure to keep this under wraps until we know more about the situation. Until then, we should put together an Executive Committee to discuss further action.</div>
---
[[Discuss plans with board]] You start drafting your letter accepting Khrushchev's proposal. While you are writing it, your brother storms in.
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/media/gallery_images/RFK-gallery_06_1826.jpg">Robert Kennedy</div>We’ve just received another letter from Khrushchev, and you're not gonna like this. He has another term!</div
<img src="https://i.insider.com/59f6307fbcf93d46008b5535?width=750&format=jpeg&auto=webp">
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://i.namu.wiki/i/LdsCw4QSxOfBY1oGaII52ywz5yIoIjGZlPCBMo5xI46bxyYg3qVHMsPJJ2kfTjJUrd6Qq2WF9vSYMT-Dw-_idQ.webp">Nikita Khrushchev</div>(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:grey)[//President Kennedy of the United States, I would like to quickly add one more term I forgot to mention in the other letter. (if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[ Along with the removal of the quarantine ships blocking resources in and out of Cuba,] I also request you remove the Jupiter missiles you have stationed in Turkey.
Sorry for any inconveniences related to receiving ''two different'' letters
Love,
N. Khrushchev//]</div>
---
The lack of coordination on Khrushchev’s behalf enrages you, especially since this new proposal is nowhere near as appetizing as the first one.
<div class=speaker><div class=label>
<img class= "idpic" src="https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/historical-films/images/9/98/George_Ball_%28James_Karen%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20230808054700">George Ball</div>If you accept the 2nd letter, there's a good chance the people of America will think of you as weak for taking defenses out of Turkey.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/media/gallery_images/RFK-gallery_06_1826.jpg">Robert Kennedy</div>Wait, I have a crazy idea. What if we pretend we never heard of the second letter and only accept the first one. We were planning on replacing the land missiles in Turkey with better sea missiles soon anyway.</div>
<div class=speaker><div class=label>
<img class= "idpic" src="https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/historical-films/images/9/98/George_Ball_%28James_Karen%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20230808054700">George Ball</div>What?! Just ignoring a whole other half of the proposal? A risky move like this may make Khrushchev more agitated.</div>
---
[[Address 2nd letter]]
Broadcast to the world that, in order for Khrushchev to remove his missiles, you will:
1. Not attack Cuba
(if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[2. Remove your quarantine from Cuba
3. Remove your defensive missiles stationed in Turkey](if:(history: where its name contains "Proceed diplomatically")'s length >= 1)[2. Remove your defensive missiles stationed in Turkey]
[[Ignore 2nd letter]]
Pretend not to see the request to remove our missiles from Turkey, and accept all other proposals in return for the removal of the Soviet missiles in Cuba, hoping the Soviet Union doesn't notice.
<div class="spoiler"><details><summary>Reveal historical choice (spoiler)</summary>Kennedy chose to ignore the 2nd letter in hopes that Khruschev would still accept his original proposal.</details></div>You send a letter to the pilot's family, telling them the horrible news and congratulating him for his noble sacrifice.
<img src="https://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/images/sub/oct27/cmc_anderson_letter.jpg">
(if:(history: where its name contains "Contact Khrushchev privately")'s length >= 1)[Now you can finally relax for a bit, while still continuing your packed schedule, the meeting's subjects are now less about nuclear death, and more about getting re-elected for the next term.
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/media/gallery_images/RFK-gallery_06_1826.jpg">Robert Kennedy</div>Things are looking good for you, John. You found a way to prevent nuclear war without hindering your image as a strong, defensive leader.</div>
Time will go on as if nothing ever happened. The people of America will continue living their lives unaware that only a few days ago they could have ended at any moment.
<img src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/dramatic-black-white-image-american-flag-close-up-pole-blowing-wind-against-grey-sky-dark-gloomy-photo-to-176610953.jpg">]
(if:(history: where its name contains "Inform public about missiles")'s length >= 1)[Now all that is left is to cross your fingers and play the waiting game. If Khrushchev accepts your public statement, all the stress of the Cuban missiles will be over. However, if he declines, who knows what hell will break loose.
You see him on television:
<div class=speaker><div class=label><img class= "idpic" src="https://i.namu.wiki/i/LdsCw4QSxOfBY1oGaII52ywz5yIoIjGZlPCBMo5xI46bxyYg3qVHMsPJJ2kfTjJUrd6Qq2WF9vSYMT-Dw-_idQ.webp">Nikita Khrushchev</div>To President Kennedy, and all of the world, we accept.</div>
The world lives on. (if:(history: where its name contains "Ignore 2nd letter")'s length >= 1)[You tactically managed to avoid the world thinking you as weak, because you never publicly stated you would remove your missiles in Turkey. Later, they are secretly removed. (if:(history: where its name contains "Quarantine")'s length >= 1)[You succeeded in both preventing nuclear war and keeping your perception up, but you made a risky decision to inform the public about the missiles so early. Though you were not perfect, you followed the path closest to history.](if:(history: where its name contains "Proceed diplomatically")'s length >= 1)[You succeeded in preventing nuclear war, but the public thinks of the war as lost. They are disappointed that you took no strong action and just made a deal with Khrushchev diplomatically. Things aren't looking great for reelection.] ](if:(history: where its name contains "Address 2nd letter")'s length >= 1)[Though the world is glad to not have another nuclear war, removing the defensive missiles from Turkey made the US think of you as a weak leader. (if:(history: where its name contains "Proceed diplomatically")'s length >= 1)[You also decided to proceed diplomatically, which makes the public think of the war as lost. They are disappointed that you took no strong action and just made a deal with Khrushchev diplomatically. Things aren't looking great for reelection.]]]
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