‘After almost annihilating the planet, the families are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
In October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear missile installations were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.
An Catastrophic Danger
The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.
The October crisis has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.
"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.
For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they confront one another?"
"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."
The Brink Towards Disaster
What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.
"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."
The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.
A Divergent Perspective
Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."
An Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.
"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."
"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."
Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils
Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn