🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants. In October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety. The Catastrophic Danger The peril remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands. "What was the Russians considering? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations. For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other and go against each other?" "It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight." A Brink of Catastrophe What is remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet." The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism. The Different Perspective Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Partnership The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope. "We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend
In October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety. The Catastrophic Danger The peril remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands. "What was the Russians considering? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations. For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other and go against each other?" "It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight." A Brink of Catastrophe What is remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet." The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism. The Different Perspective Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Partnership The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope. "We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend