Following nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
During the month of October 1962, the world came closer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of extreme stress.
The Catastrophic Threat
The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total oblivion.
The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.
"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.
In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose one another?"
"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."
A Brink of Catastrophe
What’s notable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."
The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.
A Different Perspective
Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny."
Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."
A Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.
"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."
"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."
Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend