Following nearly destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
During October 1962, the world came closer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with extreme tension.
The Catastrophic Danger
The peril was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.
This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.
For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"
"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."
The Precipice Towards Disaster
What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.
"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."
The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.
The Divergent Perspective
Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.
"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."
An Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.
"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."
Modern Echoes with Present Dangers
Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend
