🔗 Share this article Following nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. During the month of October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight of impossible anxiety. The Unthinkable Danger The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity into total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other and go against each other?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Brink of Catastrophe What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope. A Divergent Viewpoint Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of events. "As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn
During the month of October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight of impossible anxiety. The Unthinkable Danger The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity into total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other and go against each other?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight." The Brink of Catastrophe What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope. A Divergent Viewpoint Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of events. "As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny." Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn