Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of extreme tension.
An Catastrophic Danger
The peril remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total ruination.
The October crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.
"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.
For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate one another and confront one another?"
"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."
A Brink of Disaster
What is striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time as it moved towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.
"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."
The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and positive."
Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."
An Unprecedented Partnership
This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.
"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."
Modern Echoes with Current Perils
Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn
