Following nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.
In the month of October 1962, the world edged closer toward annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance plane found that Russian atomic weapon sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.
An Unthinkable Danger
The threat remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out oblivion.
The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.
"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.
In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose each other?"
"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."
A Brink Towards Catastrophe
What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.
"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."
The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.
A Different Perspective
Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or sunny."
Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."
An Unlikely Partnership
This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.
"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."
"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."
Modern Echoes and Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp