🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives. During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension. An Catastrophic Danger The danger was clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion. This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Russians thinking? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they oppose each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight." A Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Divergent Viewpoint Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism. "We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend
During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension. An Catastrophic Danger The danger was clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion. This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What were the Russians thinking? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they oppose each other?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight." A Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope. The Divergent Viewpoint Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events. "You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America." An Unprecedented Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism. "We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend