Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed was nearly two weeks of unbearable stress.
The Catastrophic Threat
The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting mankind into total oblivion.
The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.
"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.
For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate one another to the point they confront one another?"
"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."
A Brink of Disaster
What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.
"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."
The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.
The Different Perspective
Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.
"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."
Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."
A Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.
"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."
Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils
Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend