🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying the world, our families are friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants. During October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of extreme anxiety. An Unthinkable Danger The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total destruction. The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What were the Russians considering? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare." The Brink Towards Disaster What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism. A Different Perspective Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States." A Unlikely Partnership The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope. "Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp
During October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of extreme anxiety. An Unthinkable Danger The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total destruction. The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What were the Russians considering? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare." The Brink Towards Disaster What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism. A Different Perspective Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States." A Unlikely Partnership The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope. "Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp