‘After almost destroying our world, the families are friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.
During October 1962, the world came nearer toward ruin more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.
An Unthinkable Danger
The danger was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity into total ruination.
The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.
"What were the Kremlin considering? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.
In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they go against one another?"
"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."
A Brink of Catastrophe
What is striking regarding this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."
The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.
A Divergent Viewpoint
Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.
"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."
Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."
An Unprecedented Partnership
The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. 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 are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."
Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils
Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp