Kennedy and Khrushchev: 2. King of bombs

About this episode

The episode explores the tensions between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, focusing on the Cuban Missile Crisis and the role of diplomatic back channels.

The Berlin Wall rises, splitting the city from east to west. Then a stand-off between American and Soviet tanks at the crossing point, Checkpoint Charlie, brings the two superpowers to the brink of military confrontation. And fearing that they are falling far behind in the missile race, the Soviets prepare to test the biggest bomb ever exploded. As relations between the two sides deteriorate, we explore the importance of diplomatic back channels with hosts Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy, relatives of the superpower leaders. We meet Max's father, Senator Robert F Kennedy, and his Soviet contact, Georgy Bolshakov. This is the personal and political history of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nina Khrushcheva is the great-granddaughter of Nikita Khrushchev and Max Kennedy is the nephew of President John F Kennedy, and the son of Robert F Kennedy.

People in this episode

Hosts: Nina Khrushcheva, Max Kennedy

Topics covered

• Cold War
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• diplomacy
• nuclear weapons
• superpowers
• Berlin Wall

Keywords

• Cold War
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• nuclear weapons
• Berlin Wall
• diplomacy
• superpowers
• Robert F Kennedy
• Nikita Khrushchev

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie

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