🔗 Share this article Following nearly destroying our planet, the families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives. During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost 14 days of impossible anxiety. An Catastrophic Threat The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands. "What was the Russians thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can nations detest each other and oppose each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." A Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Viewpoint Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp
During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost 14 days of impossible anxiety. An Catastrophic Threat The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands. "What was the Russians thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can nations detest each other and oppose each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." A Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope. The Different Viewpoint Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp