“Following the missile crisis, detente started to gain ground between the United States and the Soviet Union, so the international political climate improved after that.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“Following the missile crisis, detente started to gain ground between the United States and the Soviet Union, so the international political climate improved after that.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Fidel Castro’s observation of the geopolitical shift that occurred after the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a moment of intense nuclear tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. By stating that “detente started to gain ground,” Castro points to the gradual easing of Cold War hostilities, where both superpowers began to explore avenues of diplomatic coexistence and strategic arms limitations, such as the later SALT agreements and the establishment of direct communication (the “hotline”) between Washington and Moscow.
While the crisis was a moment of great risk for Cuba, which felt sidelined during the resolution between the two superpowers, Castro acknowledges here that it led to a period of relative stability in international relations. The phrase “the international political climate improved” suggests that, despite the intense confrontation, the world emerged from the crisis with greater awareness of the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship and a stronger push for crisis prevention and negotiation.
In today’s context, the quote serves as a reminder that periods of extreme tension can catalyze constructive diplomacy, and that adversaries may find common ground after facing the brink of catastrophe. Castro’s words highlight how even the most perilous moments in history can lead to measured cooperation, provided that the will to avoid mutual destruction outweighs the drive for domination.
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