What was John F. Kennedy referring to when he said “a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy”?

The President and the Press: Address before the American Newspaper Publishers Association, April 27, 1961

Excerpt

For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence–on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.

Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed. It conducts the Cold War, in short, with a war-time discipline no democracy would ever hope or wish to match.

  • CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.net
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    21 hours ago

    I don’t find it odd. Even with Vatican II in 1962-65 transforming the role of the pope to a more ecumenical approach, the role is still one of a world leader. It’s similar to how those same politicians consult with the Dalai Lama. There’s realpolitik reasons for political world leaders to be seen consulting them as ‘world leaders’ that have nothing to do with the actual religions.

    • ehpolitical@lemmy.caOP
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      21 hours ago

      Ya, like I said, few people seem to question it. Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to chat. I’ll be checking out that link you left me!