Fredrik Logevall: JFK and the Lessons of Diplomacy

Historian Fredrik Logevall discusses John F. Kennedy’s handling of two defining episodes of his presidency: the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He examines the role of inherited policy and how Kennedy’s early failure shaped his approach to the nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union. The discussion considers what these events reveal about decision-making, leadership, and the management of risk at the height of the Cold War. The interview, conducted by historian and senior editor Paul Lay, was recorded in October 2025 during the seminar Intelligence and Contemporary Global Challenges. See also Axess Television's website: https://www.axesstelevision.com/ Axess Television on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axesstelevision/ Axess Television on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axesstelevision