🔗 Share this article Following nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives. During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost a fortnight of extreme anxiety. The Catastrophic Threat The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind into total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs. For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other and confront each other?" "It struck me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice Towards Disaster What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope. A Different Perspective Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp
During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost a fortnight of extreme anxiety. The Catastrophic Threat The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind into total ruination. This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp. "What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs. For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other and confront each other?" "It struck me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight." A Precipice Towards Disaster What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth." The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope. A Different Perspective Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events. "You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America." A Unlikely Collaboration The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope. "Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Parallels and Current Perils Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp