The narrator suggests discussing Cuba with Ian, who has a strong opinion on the topic. He believes that the United States was trapped by the Soviets, leading to a significant political mistake. Ian argues that the Soviets intentionally made their missile sites identifiable, provoking a response from the U.S. that escalated tensions globally.

Furthermore, in exchange for the withdrawal of missiles from Cuba, Ian claims that the U.S. President abandoned the Monroe Doctrine, which historically served as a foundation for American security policy in the Western Hemisphere. This decision is portrayed as a critical loss for the U.S. in the broader context of international relations.