‘After nearly annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.
An Unthinkable Threat
The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total ruination.
This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.
"What were the Russians planning? What was Washington considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.
For her, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront one another?"
"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."
A Brink of Catastrophe
What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.
"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."
The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.
"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."
Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."
A Unlikely Partnership
The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and 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 symbol of hope.
"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."
Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils
Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp
