In October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible stress.
The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.
This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.
"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they confront each other?"
"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."
What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."
The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.
Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.
"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."
The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.
"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."
"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."
Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend
A tech journalist and gadget reviewer with over a decade of experience, specializing in consumer electronics and innovation trends.