This chronology provides details and analysis of the intelligence
failures and successes of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and suggests the
applicability of lessons learned to the collection, analysis, and use of
intelligence in strategic decisionmaking. The author describes how the
crisis unfolded using the author's personal recollection, declassified
documents, and many memoirs written by senior CIA officers and others
who were participants. Lessons learned include the need to avoid having
our political, analytical and intelligence collection mind-sets prevent
us from acquiring and accurately analyzing intelligence about our
adversaries true plans and intentions. When our national security is at
stake, we should not hesitate to undertake risky intelligence collection
operations including espionage, to penetrate our adversary's deceptions.
We must also understand that our adversaries may not believe the gravity
of our policy warnings or allow their own agendas to be influenced by
diplomatic pressure.