Robert Kennedy as a Prime Mover in Defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis.
This essay will argue, this role was not simply one of "hawk" or "dove". Rather, Robert Kennedy's position - as did the position of many in Washington in those days - moved depending upon what decision appeared to offer the most "room" to negotiate among a group of generally negative options. However, it was in his extra-constitutional role as an "extension" of the President's will that Robert Kennedy played a dominant role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in three respects. His "negotiations" with the Soviets - often unofficial and conducted outside the usual channels of diplomacy - ensured the maintenance of lines of communication between Moscow and Washington in this crucial time. 7 pgs. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
