🔗 Share this article Following nearly destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: a gripping podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants. In October 1962, the world came closer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was nearly two weeks of impossible stress. An Unthinkable Threat The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into total ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations. In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice of Catastrophe What’s notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States." An Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism. "We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Parallels with Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend
In October 1962, the world came closer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was nearly two weeks of impossible stress. An Unthinkable Threat The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into total ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands. "What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations. In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice of Catastrophe What’s notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet." The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened. "As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States." An Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism. "We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Parallels with Current Perils Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend