During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.
The threat remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging mankind into total destruction.
The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.
"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.
In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"
"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."
What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.
"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."
The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.
Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.
"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."
Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."
The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR 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 symbol of hope.
"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 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 a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."
Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.