‘After nearly destroying our planet, our families are allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.
During October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.
The Catastrophic Threat
The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization into total destruction.
The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands.
"What was the Kremlin planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.
In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"
"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."
A Precipice of Catastrophe
What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.
"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."
The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.
The Divergent Viewpoint
Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.
"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."
Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."
An Unprecedented Partnership
This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.
"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."
Modern Echoes with Current Dangers
Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp