218. Editorial Note
National Intelligence Estimate 85-2-62, “The Situation and Prospects in Cuba,” issued on August 1, 1962, expressed the view that “by force of circumstances, the USSR is becoming ever more deeply committed to preserve and strengthen the Castro regime.” The estimate noted, however, that the Soviet Union had “avoided any formal commitment to protect and defend the regime in all contingencies.” It repeated the intelligence communityʼs earlier view that Cuban military capabilities were “essentially defensive.” “We believe it unlikely that the Bloc will provide Cuba with the capability to undertake major independent military operations overseas. We also believe it unlikely that the Bloc will station in Cuba Bloc combat units of any description, at least for the period of this estimate.” For text of the estimateʼs conclusions, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume X, pages 893–894.