Following almost destroying our world, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.
An Unthinkable Threat
The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity toward total oblivion.
The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.
"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.
For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they go against each other?"
"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."
The Brink of Disaster
What’s notable about this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."
The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.
The Different Perspective
Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.
"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."
Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."
A Unlikely Collaboration
The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.
"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."
Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers
Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend