🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying our planet, the families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants. In October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress. The Unthinkable Threat The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands. "What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people detest each other and confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth." The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress. "Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Echoes with Current Perils Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend
In October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress. The Unthinkable Threat The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction. The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands. "What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs. In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people detest each other and confront each other?" "I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight." The Brink Towards Catastrophe What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time. "The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth." The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope. The Different Viewpoint Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events. "As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and positive." Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America." A Unprecedented Collaboration The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress. "Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children." "But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit." Modern Echoes with Current Perils Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend