🔗 Share this article Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives. In the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of impossible stress. The Unthinkable Threat The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination. The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people detest each other to the point they oppose one another?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch nearly in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny." Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn
In the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of impossible stress. The Unthinkable Threat The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination. The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people detest each other to the point they oppose one another?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch nearly in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny." Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn