‘After almost destroying our world, our families are friends’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.
During October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable anxiety.
An Catastrophic Threat
The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization into total ruination.
The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.
"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.
For her, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other and go against each other?"
"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."
A Brink of Catastrophe
What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.
"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."
The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.
The Different Viewpoint
Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of events.
"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."
An Unlikely Partnership
The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.
"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."
Modern Echoes and Present Perils
Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend