‘After almost destroying the world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.
In October 1962, the planet edged closer toward ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly two weeks of extreme tension.
The Catastrophic Danger
The threat remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting humanity into total ruination.
The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate one another to the point they go against each other?"
"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."
A Precipice of Catastrophe
What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most 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 everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.
The Different Perspective
Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.
"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."
Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."
An Unlikely Collaboration
This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.
"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."
Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend