Why JFK’s legacy still matters globally 60 years on

DESPITE holding office for fewer than three years, former president John F Kennedy has long been perceived by the US public as one of the best occupants of the White House. Yet JFK’s presidency is inspiring not just to American citizens, but also to many internationally too.

Sadly, Nov 22 marks the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination, one of the days that stands out in history for the wrong reasons. Yet his presidency still offers enduring implications for international relations today.

This is not least given the acute lack of statesmanship in recent years. Indeed, the anti-intellectual mood that brought populists to power like Donald Trump disparages the very notion of statesmanship.