The Height of the Cold War
The Cuban missile crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the Soviet Union and Cuba on one side and the United States on the other side. It was one of the major confrontations of the Cold War, and is generally regarded as the moment in which the Cold War came closest to turning into a nuclear conflict. It is also the first documented instance of the threat of mutual assured destruction (MAD) being discussed.
The driving force in the USSR was this same guy "Khrushchev pounded his fists on his desk (at the UN) in protest as Sumulong continued to speak, and, as some sources claim, at one point picked up his shoe and banged the desk with it". Anyone suggesting he shoudn't have been taken seriously? Add in Gary Powers and the U2's that had been overflying Russia, all up a very explosive mix.