历史小径·世界史英语30篇（2）

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古巴导弹危机：边缘政策与核威慑的诞生

In October 1962, U.S. spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missiles being installed in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida.
President Kennedy demanded their removal and imposed a naval quarantine around the island to prevent further shipments.
For thirteen tense days, the world watched as Soviet ships approached the blockade line without turning back.
Behind closed doors, both superpowers negotiated secretly while publicly refusing to yield first.
Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles if the U.S. pledged never to invade Cuba and secretly removed Jupiter missiles from Turkey.
This near-catastrophe convinced leaders that direct nuclear war must be avoided at all costs.
Hotlines were installed between Washington and Moscow to prevent future miscommunication during crises.
Arms control treaties like the Limited Test Ban Treaty followed soon afterward as trust slowly rebuilt.
Deterrence theory now held that mutual vulnerability could paradoxically preserve peace.
The crisis remains history’s clearest example of how diplomacy under extreme pressure can avert disaster.