Question

theodore sorensens memorandum
two big questions must be answered, and in conjunction with each other:

1. which military action, if any:

limited air strike: rusk, probably ball and johnson, acheson originally
fuller air strike: mcnamara and taylor (who convinced acheson) bohlens 2nd choice
blockade: bohlen, thompson, probably martin, probably mcnamara and taylor 2nd choice

1. should political action - in particular a letter of warning to khrushchev - precede military action?

what does this passage tell you about the likelihood of military action against cuba, in spite of the risks?
no one in the group thought military action was a good idea.
it was being seriously considered by many in the group.
military action was being considered but was unlikely.
what political action did rusk support if military action was taken?
he was undecided.
sending a letter of warning.
attacking without political action.

Explanation:

The first question asks about the likelihood of military action against Cuba despite risks. The passage lists different military actions (limited air strike, fuller air strike, blockade) and who supported them, indicating serious consideration. For the second question, looking at the political action part of the memorandum (a letter of warning to Khrushchev), and since Rusk was in the group considering military actions and the political action question is about what to do if military action is taken (the letter of warning is a political action), we can infer.

Answer:

For the first question: It was being seriously considered by many in the group.
For the second question: Sending a letter of warning.