Following nearly destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During the month of October 1962, the world edged closer toward destruction than at any other point in recent history. This occurred when an American reconnaissance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on 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 impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.
The Unthinkable Danger
The danger remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.
The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.
"What was the Russians planning? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other and oppose one another?"
"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans can be allies or can become complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."
A Brink Towards Catastrophe
What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."
The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.
A Different Perspective
Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.
"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."
Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."
An Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.
"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."
"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."
Modern Echoes and Current Perils
Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn