Following almost destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.
During the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after a US surveillance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension.
The Catastrophic Threat
The danger remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out ruination.
This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.
"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.
For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they go against one another?"
"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."
A Brink Towards Catastrophe
What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.
"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."
The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.
A Divergent Perspective
Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."
Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."
A Unlikely Collaboration
This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.
"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."
"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."
Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils
Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn
