Senior Fellow at the USSC Charles Edel revisits John F. Kennedy's 1956 Profiles in Courage. Kennedy wrote the book five years before he became president and Edel argues it has assumed significant relevance in today's political climate.

"Kennedy’s work provides a useful reminder that fear of censure is a powerful motivator that more often than not discourages acts of political courage. But it also stands as astatement that such acts are essential to the unity, safety and survival of democracy," Edel writes.