By Matija Šerić
History is full of unresolved mysterious events that, for decades or even centuries, awaken and fuel the imagination of observers around the world. There are countless examples. To this day, it is not clear how exactly the ancient Egyptians built the spectacular pyramids; nor is it known how Stonehenge in England was constructed; it remains a mystery what happened to the first British colony of Roanoke in North America at the end of the 16th century; and the identity of the serial killer Jack the Ripper, who terrorized London in the late 19th century, has never been established.
Yet, the mystery of all mysteries—at least in politics—is the assassination of the 35th U.S. President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK), which occurred on November 22, 1963, during the president’s official visit to Dallas, Texas. To this day, the event itself has not been fully clarified, and even greater question marks surround who the possible true masterminds were behind the assassination that changed America.
JFK’s Presidency
John F. Kennedy became President of the United States in January 1961 as the youngest elected president in the nation’s history (43 years old), bringing with him a vision of optimism and radical change. His inauguration and presidency symbolized the beginning of a new era in American politics, known as the “New Frontier.” More precisely, his new policy entailed ambitious plans to improve the economy, fight poverty and racial discrimination, explore space, and ensure a more effective U.S. role in the Cold War against the Eastern Bloc. The JFK era, in addition to being filled with hope for a better tomorrow, was also marked by fierce political and social divisions.
On the foreign policy front, in the early 1960s, the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union dominated geopolitics. The rivalry between the two superpowers was evident in every aspect of international relations, from the arms race to space exploration. At the beginning of his term, in the spring of 1961, Kennedy supported the CIA-backed invasion of Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs, aimed at toppling Fidel Castro’s leftist regime in Cuba, but it ended in complete fiasco and Cuba remained communist. Although Kennedy approved the invasion—planned under the previous administration of Dwight Eisenhower and CIA director Allen Dulles—he refused to allow U.S. air and naval forces to participate, despite CIA officers pushing for it. Consequently, Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces defeated the invasion troops in just three days. Kennedy, who had long doubted the plan’s success, hesitated until March before finally giving approval. The execution of “Operation Pluto” (its official name) in April was deeply flawed.
Documentary about JFK
Geopolitical Challenges
The following year, 1962, brought the infamous Cuban Missile Crisis—the most critical moment of the Cold War, when the world came to the brink of nuclear war. Kennedy displayed exceptional diplomacy and prudence during the crisis, earning international prestige but also the enmity of military and intelligence circles who advocated for a harsher approach toward the Soviet Union and Cuba. Perhaps Kennedy’s greatest foreign policy mistake was America’s entanglement in the Vietnam War—specifically his 1961 decision to increase the number of U.S. military advisors in the country. Thus, the U.S. became embroiled in one of the most controversial and costly wars in its history. By the end of 1961, the number of American advisors had grown to about 3,200, and by the end of Kennedy’s presidency in late 1963, it had reached more than 16,000. Although no official combat troops were deployed, the advisors played a key role in training the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) and providing tactical support in the field.
Visionary Ideas
On the domestic front, Kennedy inherited a nation undergoing profound social change, leaving few Americans indifferent. The Civil Rights Movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., was in full swing, causing deep divisions between the northern and southern states. Kennedy’s stance on civil rights for African Americans was complex. While he supported equality and integration, his administration was initially cautious, seeking to avoid direct conflict with white southern conservatives who opposed change.
However, in 1963, Kennedy publicly defended civil rights, framing it as both a moral and constitutional issue. This further polarized the nation but cemented his position as a leader of social reform. In a nationally televised address on June 11, 1963, Kennedy strongly supported civil rights and equality for all:
“This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal. The time has come for this nation to fulfill its promise of justice, equality, and fairness for all.”
On the economic front, JFK pursued tax cuts along with increased investments in infrastructure, education, and research. His plans included visionary projects such as the Apollo program, which aimed to send a man to the Moon and served as a major element of Cold War competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. In a speech delivered on September 12, 1962, at Rice University in Houston, Kennedy expressed America’s ambition to lead in the space race:
“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
The Apollo program was not just a technical feat but also a symbol of American innovation, determination, and the ability to unite the nation around a common goal. Kennedy’s vision was realized on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon—a defining moment of an era and a lasting legacy of JFK, even though it occurred nearly six years after his death.
A Friend of the People, an Enemy of Elites
Despite shortcomings, Kennedy was immensely popular among ordinary Americans. More than specific policies, people were captivated by his inspiring speeches, youthful energy, and ideas promoting equality, human rights, and broad social change. His image as a people’s politician was reinforced by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, a symbol of elegance and grace in the new America. Yet, while adored by the masses, JFK also made powerful enemies during his short presidency. Aside from obvious foreign adversaries such as the Soviet Union and Cuba, he clashed with major domestic forces. The most notable among them were the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the military-industrial complex, and the American mafia—all of whom have been mentioned as potential instigators or organizers of his assassination.
Enemy of the CIA
Kennedy was deeply concerned about the growing influence of the CIA in foreign policy, as it had become a “state within a state.” He sought to curb its power, believing the agency operated too independently, often making decisions misaligned with his administration. Moreover, Kennedy was aware that the CIA sometimes acted in its own interests, beyond the oversight of the White House and Congress, which he saw as a threat to democratic accountability and to American democracy itself. After the Bay of Pigs fiasco in 1961, which the CIA initiated, Kennedy took steps to reduce the agency’s power and influence. He even considered restructuring or replacing it with a new body to oversee intelligence operations.
Enemy of the Military-Industrial Complex
Kennedy had a similar attitude toward the military-industrial complex (the Pentagon and arms manufacturers), which benefited from America’s direct or indirect involvement in foreign wars. The complex had vested interests in maintaining conflicts and high defense budgets. Military lobbying significantly influenced U.S. foreign policy, often pushing the country into interventions or escalating conflicts—including Vietnam. Although Kennedy initially supported U.S. engagement in Vietnam, evidence suggests he intended to scale it back. Some sources claim he planned to withdraw part of the U.S. presence, creating tensions within his administration, particularly with military officers and key advisors. The defense industry lobby, however, strongly advocated deeper U.S. involvement in Vietnam to advance its strategic and financial interests.
Enemy of the Mafia
There are theories suggesting the American mafia helped Kennedy win the 1960 election by influencing the razor-thin results. The contest between Democrat JFK and Republican Richard Nixon was extremely close, with every vote counting—especially in swing states such as West Virginia (JFK won by about 45,000 votes) and Illinois (a margin of about 9,000 votes). It has been claimed that Joe Kennedy, JFK’s father, used his connections with the mafia to secure victory in key states. Rumors abound about ties between the Kennedy campaign and mob bosses like Sam Giancana of Chicago, who allegedly leveraged unions and local authorities to deliver votes. Though never definitively proven, such stories fueled speculation about the family’s ambiguous relationship with organized crime.
Despite alleged ties during the campaign, once JFK became president his administration took a hard line against the mafia, particularly through the efforts of Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), who became Attorney General in 1961. RFK launched one of the most aggressive campaigns against organized crime in U.S. history, establishing special investigative committees, increasing prosecutions, and targeting prominent mobsters such as Jimmy Hoffa and bosses in New York, Chicago, and New Orleans. Under RFK, the Justice Department made fighting organized crime a top priority. Prosecutions more than doubled, and mafia leaders who once enjoyed de facto immunity now faced unprecedented pressure. Many, including Sam Giancana, considered this a betrayal after allegedly helping the Kennedy family rise to power. It is therefore no surprise that the mafia is often mentioned among the potential organizers of JFK’s assassination.
