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Toward the close of the evening meeting, McNamara eloquently pleaded that the planners consider "what kind of world we live in after we've struck Cuba ... how do we stop at that point?" Instead of an air strike, McNamara began talking of a blockade, accompanied by "an ultimatum" to the Soviets, which he conceded would have dangers also. Said he: "This alternative doesn't seem to be a very acceptable one, but wait until you work on the others." That provoked grim laughter, but after many more meetings a blockade was decided on. It ultimately drew overwhelming support from world public opinion, and it induced the Soviets to pull their missiles out of Cuba without any necessity for the U.S. to fire a shot.
