America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The primary purpose of ExComm, or the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, during the Cuban Missile Crisis was to discuss and implement strategies to address the crisis. Formed by President John F. Kennedy, this group included key advisors who convened to deliberately evaluate the situation and formulate a response to the Soviet installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

This context is crucial as it highlights the urgency and intensity of the crisis. The members of ExComm explored various options, ranging from military action to diplomatic negotiations, consistently focusing on how to prevent an escalation that could lead to nuclear war. Their discussions were aimed at assessing the risks and weighing the potential consequences of each proposed action, ultimately leading to the decision to impose a naval blockade rather than an immediate attack.

The other choices do not encapsulate the scope and intent of ExComm’s role. Launching a full-scale invasion of Cuba was considered but not executed during the crisis. Providing military support to South Vietnam pertains to a different contextual issue altogether, focusing on U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War rather than the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although brokerage of peace talks is a vital aspect of international relations, within the context of the Cuban Missile Crisis, ExComm's primary function was to deliberate on the immediate responses