🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying the world, our relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives. During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension. The Catastrophic Threat The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands. "What were the Russians planning? What was the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations. For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest each other and go against one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice of Catastrophe What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet." The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism. The Divergent Perspective Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend
During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension. The Catastrophic Threat The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands. "What were the Russians planning? What was the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations. For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest each other and go against one another?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice of Catastrophe What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet." The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism. The Divergent Perspective Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend