🔗 Share this article Following nearly annihilating the world, our families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. During October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when a US surveillance plane found that Russian nuclear missile installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost two weeks of extreme anxiety. The Unthinkable Threat The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting civilization into total destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands. "What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against each other?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare." A Precipice Towards Disaster What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than most people realised. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth." The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism. A Divergent Perspective Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened. "You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes and Current Dangers Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn
During October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when a US surveillance plane found that Russian nuclear missile installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost two weeks of extreme anxiety. The Unthinkable Threat The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting civilization into total destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands. "What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against each other?" "I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare." A Precipice Towards Disaster What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than most people realised. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth." The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism. A Divergent Perspective Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened. "You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes and Current Dangers Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn