🔗 Share this article Following almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are friends’: a gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants. In October 1962, humanity came nearer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety. The Unthinkable Threat The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out ruination. The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." A Brink of Disaster What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Viewpoint Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." A Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress. "We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp
In October 1962, humanity came nearer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety. The Unthinkable Threat The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out ruination. The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs. In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." A Brink of Disaster What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Viewpoint Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States." A Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress. "We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp