‘After almost destroying our world, our families are allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.
The Unthinkable Danger
The danger remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting mankind into all-out destruction.
The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.
"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.
In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another and go against one another?"
"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."
The Brink Towards Disaster
What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, people worldwide could watch almost in real time as it crept closer to armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.
"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."
The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.
The Different Viewpoint
Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."
An Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.
"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."
Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils
Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp