Kennedy and Khrushchev: 10. Fallout
From The Bomb by BBC World Service
February 2, 2026 · 43 min · Season 3 · Episode 10
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
More episodes of The Bomb
- Recommending: 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II · March 29, 2026 · 5 min
- Kennedy and Khrushchev: 9. Black Saturday · January 26, 2026 · 40 min
- Kennedy and Khrushchev: 8. The logic of war · January 19, 2026 · 38 min
- Kennedy and Khrushchev: 7. Eyeball to eyeball · January 12, 2026 · 38 min
- Kennedy and Khrushchev: 6. Kennedy’s move · January 5, 2026 · 37 min
- Kennedy and Khrushchev: 5. The crisis: Day one · December 29, 2025 · 37 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Bomb podcast page.