President Kennedy and the Neutralization of Laos

E-ISSN： 1748-6858|31|3|353-369

ISSN： 0034-6705

Source： Review of Politics, Vol.31, Iss.3, 1969-07, pp. : 353-369

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Abstract

Soon After John F. Kennedy became President, difficult foreign policy decisions had to be made. Even before he assumed the burdens of office, he knew an early judgment would be required concerning United States policies vis-à-vis Laos. Throughout 1960, Communist forces in Laos and their allies won numerous military victories and the Laotian Royal Army was unable to check their advances. The United States and other SEATO members were understandably disturbed. They now had to contemplate a total Communist victory with all its potentially painful and embarrassing consequences. These consequences worried President-elect Kennedy and prior to his inauguration, he and his advisors began systematically examining all their policy alternatives; they found that none were really attractive.