🔗 Share this article Following almost annihilating our world, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives. In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety. The Catastrophic Danger The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands. "What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and confront each other?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice Towards Disaster What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism. The Different Perspective Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Present Dangers Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend
In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety. The Catastrophic Danger The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out ruination. The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands. "What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations. In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and confront each other?" "It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare." The Precipice Towards Disaster What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet." The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism. The Different Perspective Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive." Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Partnership The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family." "But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Present Dangers Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend