🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying our world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants. In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks of unbearable stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands. "What were the Soviet side considering? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Precipice Towards Catastrophe What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Perspective Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of events. "As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope. "We are not the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp
In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks of unbearable stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands. "What were the Soviet side considering? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Precipice Towards Catastrophe What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Perspective Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of events. "As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope. "We are not the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp