🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. During October 1962, the planet edged nearer to destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of impossible tension. The Unthinkable Danger The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin planning? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice Towards Disaster What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet." The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism. A Divergent Perspective Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." A Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit." Modern Echoes with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn
During October 1962, the planet edged nearer to destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of impossible tension. The Unthinkable Danger The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What was the Kremlin planning? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice Towards Disaster What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet." The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism. A Divergent Perspective Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." A Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit." Modern Echoes with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn