🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying the world, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives. In October 1962, the world veered nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of extreme stress. An Catastrophic Danger The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total oblivion. The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin considering? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people hate each other and oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Precipice Towards Catastrophe What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. A Different Viewpoint Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn
In October 1962, the world veered nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of extreme stress. An Catastrophic Danger The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total oblivion. The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin considering? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people hate each other and oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Precipice Towards Catastrophe What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. A Different Viewpoint Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn