🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying the world, the families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives. In October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress. An Unthinkable Threat The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a completely new dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations. In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare." The Precipice of Disaster What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Divergent Perspective Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of events. "You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp
In October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress. An Unthinkable Threat The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a completely new dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations. In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare." The Precipice of Disaster What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Divergent Perspective Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of events. "You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Partnership This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp