Following almost destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.
In October 1962, the world veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.
The Unthinkable Danger
The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion.
The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.
"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.
For her, the beauty of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can people hate one another and oppose each other?"
"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."
A Precipice Towards Disaster
What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."
The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.
A Divergent Viewpoint
Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.
"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."
Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."
A Unprecedented Partnership
This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.
"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."
"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."
Modern Echoes and Present Dangers
Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend