Part 3/7:
Kennedy's inner circle of advisers quickly converged to address the escalating crisis. The consensus among many was that a direct military response was imperative. The more conservative advisers leaned toward a targeted bombing of the Cuban sites, while the more aggressive members pushed for a broader strike that included targets in East Berlin and Russia itself.
Their argument hinged on the belief that such provocations must be met with decisive action. In their view, failure to respond would be tantamount to inviting further aggression and undermining U.S. credibility on the global stage. However, Kennedy took a more measured approach. He recognized the potential disastrous consequences of a military response and the delicate nature of international relations.