Kennedy supported continuing the Cold War. He had a “personal fascination with counterinsurgency warfare, covert action, and special military actions” (20). Kennedy was especially concerned about Cuba, where the Communist government of Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. Kennedy signed off on a plan by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to have armed Cuban exiles covertly invade Cuba. It was called the Bay of Pigs after the location chosen for the invasion. On April 17th, 1961, the Bay of Pigs operation was launched. The invasion failed and did not inspire a Cuban revolt like the CIA hoped.

Kennedy acted in other ways to protect U.S. interests in the Cold War. He sent more military advisors to the country of Vietnam, where a Communist movement was gaining power. Congress under the Kennedy administration gave more funding to the U.S. military. At the same time, Kennedy established the Peace Corps, which sent young Americans to help in developing countries.

In October 1962, the U.S. government found that Soviet missile bases were being built in Cuba. This was in response to the United States having nuclear missiles placed in Turkey and Italy to deter the Soviet Union.