Strategic forces

The long-term and quite well-known factor is that, over many years, the Soviets have been steadily closing the gap in nuclear capabilities between them and us. For a period of time prior to 1960, the United States had a virtual nuclear monopoly. By 1960, it was perceived that our monopoly advantage would ebb; and, in fact, it not only began to ebb, but, by 1966-67, the soviet Union had a very substantial intercontinental counter-deterrent. During the early 1960s, it was stated quite clearly by President Kennedy--and also by a large majority of Americans in both parties--that the United States needed alternatives other than suicide or surrender, that it needed options which did not imply immediate escalation to major nuclear war.