Political Powerplay
The assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy has been a topic of vehement debate for decades and has been linked to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Though the allegations are largely unsubstantiated, there is nonetheless evidence that suggests that the CIA may have had a hand in Kennedy’s assassination. From the various write-ups and reports that have been published since Kennedy’s assassination, a plausible narrative has been created as to how and why the CIA may have killed Kennedy.
The Kennedy Assassination had a far-reaching effect on American politics and public opinion. Since then, the entire incident has been shrouded in mystery and the public is yet to get firm answers and closure. This begs the question – why would the CIA want to kill Kennedy?
Since the CIA operates largely in the shadows, we can only make hypotheses based on the literature that has been published by investigative journalists and historians leading up to the present day. There exist numerous theories attempting to explain why the CIA may have been complicit in Kennedy’s assassination. Some of these include Kennedy’s failed attempts to control the agency and his decision on the Vietnam war whereas other theories focus on the presence of powerful Mafia families and the Cuban connection.
The CIA has long been known for its maneuvers and actions. They have been involved in numerous clandestine operations in both foreign and domestic areas and have faced scrutiny for their relatively unchecked activity. During Kennedy’s presidency, he was known to have a strained relationship with the agency. It has been said that Kennedy had intended to “purge” the agency of the men he deemed to have become too powerful. This could have possibly destabilized the CIA’s control, resulting in punitive action.
Not only that, but Kennedy also made some questionable decisions when it came to foreign policy. To name one, Kennedy chose not to continue the U.S. policy of support for South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This brought about some genuine concern that his decisions may lead the U.S. into dangerous political territory, regardless of their good intentions. This would have been seen as an embarrassment for the U.S. and many within the CIA were reportedly enraged given their close ties with the South Vietnamese government and the military.
On the surface, any link between the CIA and Kennedy’s assassination remains purely speculative and circumstantial. However, the various motives from political concerns to national security, provide a compelling argument to believe that the CIA were motivated to commit such a heinous act in the hope that they could gain more political autonomy and a sense of pride and accomplishment by ‘saving’ their nation from the political brink.
Suggested Cover-up
It is also possible that the CIA had wanted to conceal their involvement by finding a scapegoat in order to steer the public’s attention elsewhere. Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was initially held responsible for Kennedy’s death. Oswald led a thoroughly mysterious life shortly before the assassination, leading some to believe that he was in the employ of the CIA.
Soon after his capture, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a local club owner. This has led some to demand a thorough examination of the entire incident, as well as of the connections between Kennedy and the CIA. The Warren Commission was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson immediately after the assassination to look into the details surrounding the tragedy, though their findings fell short of complete transparency.
What followed was a sweeping bill which gave the CIA far greater powers than it had formerly enjoyed. Not only that, but the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 ensured that any actions or illegal operations that the agency engaged in would remain secret. This led to the CIA possessing considerable power and autonomy, enabling them to effectively control their adversaries without revealing the truth behind their activities.
Concerns over the CIA’s increased control were brought to the forefront by several members of the media, with some journalists detailing how the agency was attempting to manipulate public opinion by selectively releasing information and furthering its own agenda. As such, some of the major unanswered questions about Kennedy’s assassination still remain.
Mob Connections
Although the CIA may have had their own motives, there might have been other players involved in the assassination of President Kennedy. Reports indicate that certain members of organized crime factions in the U.S. were involved in Kennedy’s death. With their vast resources and influence, the mob had the potential to influence political action, right up to Kennedy’s highest office.
Theories range from a plot led by Italian-American mobster Carlos Marcello, to the possibility of the mob utilising their contacts in Cuba to have Kennedy killed, given his support for the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro. Regardless of the identity of the conspirators, it is clear that the mob had a stake in Kennedy’s death and provided assistance to the CIA in order to carry out the plot.
With the convoluted and intricate network of relationships between mob families, the government, and the CIA, it is possible that the entire plot was a joint effort to ensure a far-reaching and highly effective outcome. As the facts begin to unravel and the media puts further pressure on governmental organizations to provide answers, the public may soon begin to understand the true story behind Kennedy’s untimely death.
Cuban Connection
As mentioned previously, the relationship between the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro and Kennedy had also deteriorated over time. Kennedy was known to have meddled in Cuban affairs and had organised plots to assassinate Castro. Additionally, he had continually sought to strangle Cuba’s international relations and to cripple their economy.
Given the strained relationship between Kennedy and the Cuban government, it may have been possible that they had sought to get revenge by killing Kennedy. This could have been a symbolic statement to assert their dominance in their region and to send a message to the United States’ government that they would not be pushed around.
In addition, Cuba was also known to have had close ties with the Soviet Union and this could have further exacerbated the situation. It is believed that the Soviet Union may have provided assistance to Cuba in order to avenge Kennedy’s assassination and to embarrass the United States government.
Reports have also indicated that Soviet-backed criminals and hitmen were possibly involved in Kennedy’s death, leading some to believe that the Cuban connection was a factor in the assassination. Unfortunately, these suggestions remain simply conjectures and the truth may never be found.
CIA Interference
Though it remains unclear as to why the CIA was complicit in Kennedy’s assassination, it is still possible to identify patterns that could potentially explain their involvement.
The CIA is well known for their actions in foreign and domestic policies, and it is possible that their actions in the Kennedy assassination were a response to Kennedy’s increasingly strict policies and decisions. They could have seen the assassination as a necessary measure to prevent Kennedy from gaining further control over the agency and to restore their leverage and autonomy.
Additionally, the Cuban connection could have been an avenue for the CIA to bolster their own operations, given their close ties with the Cuban government and the potential to gain more influence in the region.
Finally, the CIA may have been similarly motivated by the potential to impress their superiors and to show the world the power of their agency. In this way, the assassination may have been an attempt to demonstrate the agency’s capability.
Long Term Consequences
It is impossible to speculate on the long-term consequences of the assassination without enough evidence and without understanding the true motives behind the act. We may never know the truth behind Kennedy’s death, but it is crucial to explore the various angles and connections in order to get a better sense as to what could have happened.
The death of President Kennedy had a far-reaching impact on public opinion and politics in the United States. It was a tragedy that shocked the nation and left many questions still unanswered. The possibility of the CIA being involved has only further complicated the mystery and the lack of evidence further erodes the case against them.
It is important to realise that any potential links between Kennedy’s death and the CIA are highly speculative, however it is also essential to consider the various possibilities presented by the evidence available in order to arrive at informed and educated conclusions.
Conclusion
The details surrounding Kennedy’s assassination remain a well-guarded secret and the motives behind the act may never be known. Nonetheless, the presence of the CIA and the mob, as well as their relationships with the Cuban government shows that there are powerful forces at work, and that Kennedy was likely the victim of a powerful conspiracy
Although 50 years have passed since the Kennedy assassination, the public still deserves to know the truth behind the tragedy. As such, it is important for the general public to take initiative and to demand answers from the government. By doing so, we can ensure that Kennedy’s death is remembered and justice is served.
