🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying the world, our families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety. An Catastrophic Danger The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward total destruction. The October crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands. "What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations. For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and oppose one another?" "It struck me how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight." A Brink of Catastrophe What is striking about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism. The Divergent Viewpoint Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." An Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains 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 to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels with Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn
In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety. An Catastrophic Danger The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward total destruction. The October crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands. "What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations. For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and oppose one another?" "It struck me how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight." A Brink of Catastrophe What is striking about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism. The Divergent Viewpoint Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." An Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains 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 to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels with Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn