🔗 Share this article ‘After almost annihilating the world, our families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants. During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of extreme stress. The Unthinkable Threat The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs. In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice Towards Disaster What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism. The Divergent Perspective Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Parallels and Present Dangers Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp
During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of extreme stress. The Unthinkable Threat The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp. "What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs. In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose one another?" "I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice Towards Disaster What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time. "Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism. The Divergent Perspective Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of events. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress. "We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Parallels and Present Dangers Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp