Following nearly annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.
During the month of October 1962, the world veered closer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of impossible stress.
The Catastrophic Threat
The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity into all-out oblivion.
This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.
"What was the Kremlin considering? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.
For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they go against one another?"
"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."
The Brink Towards Catastrophe
What’s notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."
The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.
A Different Perspective
Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.
"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."
Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."
A Unprecedented Collaboration
The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.
"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."
Modern Parallels with Current Dangers
Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp
