🔗 Share this article Following almost annihilating the planet, our families are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives. In October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril was clear. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into total oblivion. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice of Disaster What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Viewpoint Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine or sunny." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America." An Unlikely Partnership This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit." Modern Echoes and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn
In October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril was clear. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into total oblivion. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice of Disaster What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Viewpoint Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine or sunny." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America." An Unlikely Partnership This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit." Modern Echoes and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn