🔗 Share this article Following almost annihilating our world, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants. In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme tension. An Catastrophic Danger The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What was the Russians considering? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs. For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare." A Precipice Towards Disaster What is striking regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope. The Different Viewpoint Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." An Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism. "Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn
In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme tension. An Catastrophic Danger The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What was the Russians considering? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs. For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare." A Precipice Towards Disaster What is striking regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised. "Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope. The Different Viewpoint Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened. "As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny." Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." An Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism. "Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn