‘After nearly annihilating the world, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During October 1962, the planet edged closer to ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.
An Catastrophic Threat
The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into total destruction.
This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.
In her view, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can nations detest each other to the point they confront one another?"
"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."
A Precipice Towards Disaster
What is striking regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."
The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."
Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."
A Unprecedented Collaboration
This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.
"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."
Modern Echoes with Current Perils
Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp
