About this episode

The episode explores the critical communication between Khrushchev and Kennedy during a nuclear crisis.

Can Khrushchev and Kennedy stop a spiral into nuclear devastation? Khrushchev realises he has lost control of the crisis, as an American plane is shot down over Cuba. With the Americans preparing for war, can the two leaders communicate quickly enough to avoid it? Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy, relatives of the superpower leaders, reflect on what might have been, in this extraordinary chapter in 20th Century history.

People in this episode

Guests: Nina Khrushcheva, Max Kennedy

Topics covered

• Cold War
• nuclear crisis
• leadership
• communication
• historical reflection

Keywords

• Khrushchev
• Kennedy
• Cuba
• nuclear crisis
• Cold War
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Cuba

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• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 9. Black Saturday · January 25, 2026 · 40 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 8. The logic of war · January 18, 2026 · 38 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 7. Eyeball to eyeball · January 11, 2026 · 38 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 6. Kennedy’s move · January 4, 2026 · 37 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 5. The crisis: Day one · December 28, 2025 · 37 min

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