Small Group Challenge Caribbean Sea 1962 Vasili Arkhipov, second-in-command of the nuclear-missile submarine B-59, has a problem. Although the B-59 has had no contact with Moscow for a number of days, a series of violent explosions in the sea above them indicate the Cuban Missile Crisis has escalated into a full-scale war between the Soviet Union and the United States. Submarine Captain Valentin Savitsky decides to launch a nuclear strike against the United States but requires authorisation from both Vasili and political officer Ivan Maslennikov. Ivan agrees with Valentin and authorises the launch.  In groups, decide whether or not Vasili should authorise the nuclear strike and provide an explanation for your decision.