Following nearly annihilating our world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.
In October 1962, the planet came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of impossible tension.
The Catastrophic Threat
The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging humanity toward all-out destruction.
This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.
"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people detest each other to the point they go against each other?"
"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."
The Precipice Towards Disaster
What’s striking regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it moved towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."
The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.
"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."
Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."
An Unlikely Collaboration
This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would 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 hope.
"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."
Modern Parallels and Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend