Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of extreme stress.
The Catastrophic Danger
The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity toward all-out ruination.
The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, held the fate of the world within their grasp.
"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.
For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they confront each other?"
"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."
The Brink of Disaster
What is notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.
"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."
The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.
A Divergent Perspective
Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."
Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."
An Unprecedented Collaboration
The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.
"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."
Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils
Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn