🔗 Share this article ‘After almost annihilating our world, the families are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants. During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward total destruction. The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another and confront one another?" "It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Perspective Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States." An Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America 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 got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Current Dangers Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp
During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress. An Catastrophic Danger The peril was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward total destruction. The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another and confront one another?" "It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Perspective Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States." An Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America 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 got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Current Dangers Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp