During October 1962, the world came closer to ruin more so than ever in modern times. This occurred when an American surveillance plane identified that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost a fortnight of extreme anxiety.
The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction.
The October crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.
"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.
In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"
"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."
What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.
"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."
The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.
Still, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.
"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."
Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."
This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.
"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."
Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp
A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital innovation across Europe.
