Following nearly annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
During October 1962, the planet veered closer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of extreme tension.
An Catastrophic Threat
The threat remained clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out destruction.
The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.
"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.
In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"
"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."
The Precipice Towards Disaster
What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved towards armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.
"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."
The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.
The Divergent Perspective
Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.
"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."
Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."
A Unprecedented Partnership
This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.
"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."
Modern Parallels with Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend
