During October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US surveillance plane found that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.
The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging civilization into total destruction.
The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.
"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest each other and go against one another?"
"It struck me how profound it is that people can be allies or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."
What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."
The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.
Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.
"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."
Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."
The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.
"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."
"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."
Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn
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