🔗 Share this article ‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety. An Unthinkable Danger The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands. "What was the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other and confront one another?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice of Catastrophe What is remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Perspective Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States." A Unlikely Partnership This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend
In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety. An Unthinkable Danger The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands. "What was the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in global relations. In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other and confront one another?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice of Catastrophe What is remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. A Different Perspective Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States." A Unlikely Partnership This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope. "We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend