Realist Perpective on the Cuban Missile Crisis Essay

The Realist Perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis In October of 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union reached a near-nuclear experience when in a short fourteen days; Russia was caught building nuclear missile bases in Cuba. With the Second World War just barely in the past, the United States was still on their toes making sure they were in the clear. When they sent the U-2 spy plane to monitor Cuba they found missile bases that were armed and ready to wipe out the western hemisphere. Considering the military, economy, and diplomacy of the U.S., Kennedy could take no chances. The realist perspective focuses on the conflict and states and the manifestation of power, which while looking at the Cuban Missile Crisis, will give†¦show more content†¦Another reason there was conflict is because as winners of the world war, they were bound to have conflict of interests especially since the U.S. was booming and the S.U. couldn’t keep up. After two weeks of threats and conflict without resolution, the U.S. and S.U. came to an agreement. If the U.S. removed their missiles from the Turkey-Russia border, which they did, then Russia would dismantle the missile bases in Cuba, which they also did. As this was an embarrassment for the Russians, they felt a bit undermined/underpowered but none the less the crisis was over. The Realist perspective gives a broad and objective overview of the situation but it does miss some things. Realists forget to consider relationships that countries may or may not have had at the time of the crisis, which can affect sever al things. Realists forget that the Russians were not allies with the U.S. which is why Russia felt it necessary to build missile bases in Cuba so they had the ability to retaliate, and the U.S. felt like it was about capabilities not intentions because of the lack in communication between the two countries. The U.S. and S.U. had selfish goals, protecting themselves, not considering what the other may have in mind; they will never know if maybe they both wanted the same thing and could have agreed on a treaty. Realists feel like Kennedy’s diplomacy is what ended the situation, but a liberalist may say it was due to the power of