‘After almost destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension.
The Unthinkable Threat
The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, plunging civilization into all-out destruction.
This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another and confront one another?"
"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."
The Brink of Catastrophe
What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."
The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of events.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and sunny."
Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."
A Unlikely Collaboration
This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.
"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."
Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend
