Following nearly annihilating the world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.
In October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine around the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days of unbearable tension.
An Unthinkable Danger
The peril was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction.
This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they go against each other?"
"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."
A Brink Towards Disaster
What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.
"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."
The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.
The Different Viewpoint
Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via 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 a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."
A Unlikely Partnership
This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that 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 sign of hope.
"We are not the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."
Modern Parallels with Current Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp
