Thirteen

U-2 reconnaissance photos reveal that the Soviet Union is installing intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba, capable of striking major US cities. The US government becomes aware of the 32 missiles being serviced by 3,400 Soviet personnel, posing a significant threat. This discovery sets the stage for the crisis and US response planning.

President Kennedy and his advisers gather to discuss the threat posed by the Soviet missiles. Military leaders suggest immediate strikes and invasion, but Kennedy is hesitant, considering the possibility of nuclear escalation and the risk of provoking a wider war. Tensions rise as the administration assesses options.

Kennedy decides against a preemptive strike, fearing it may trigger nuclear war and escalate the conflict. Instead, he opts for a naval quarantine around Cuba to prevent further Soviet arms shipments, signaling a push for a peaceful resolution while maintaining military alert status.

The US Navy establishes a blockade around Cuba, stopping all ships entering Cuban waters and inspecting them for weapons. Meanwhile, the US military is placed on DEFCON 3 alert, ready to respond if necessary, as Soviet and Cuban officials react to the quarantine plan.

Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin maintains that the Soviet military presence in Cuba is purely defensive, while the US presents evidence of offensive missile deployment. Secret negotiations and back-channel communications begin, with the Soviets offering to remove missiles in exchange for US guarantees.

Adlai Stevenson presents irrefutable evidence of Soviet missiles in Cuba during the UN Security Council, publicly shaming Soviet and Cuban representatives. This boosts US diplomatic pressure and boosts Kennedy's image as a strong leader in the crisis.

A Soviet ship attempts to run the blockade, but is warned and fired upon, prompting military and diplomatic tension. The US forces also detect Soviet submarines, raising fears of a potential underwater escalation if triggered.

Back-channel messages reveal the Soviets’ willingness to remove the missiles in Cuba if the US commits to not invading Cuba. The US considers the proposals, debating whether to accept or reject these diplomatic overtures.

Despite diplomatic efforts, JFK authorizes preparations for a military strike and invasion scheduled for the upcoming week. A U-2 plane is shot down over Cuba, resulting in the death of the pilot, Rudolf Anderson, further escalating the crisis.

Kennedy’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy, meets with Soviet ambassador Dobrynin to negotiate a peaceful resolution, demanding the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. Dobrynin counters with US demands to remove missiles from Turkey, complicating the negotiations.

Khrushchev agrees to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba in exchange for a US public declaration not to invade Cuba. Secretly, the US also agrees to remove its Jupiter missiles from Turkey within six months, as part of a clandestine understanding.

President Kennedy issues a condolence letter to the family of the downed pilot. The crisis ends with the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, avoiding nuclear conflict. The leaders reflect on the dangerous brinkmanship that characterized the confrontation.