About this episode

This episode explores the personal and political dynamics of the Cuban Missile Crisis, highlighting the fears and decisions of key figures involved.

Troops in Cuba fear an attack is imminent, as alarm grows around the world. Fidel Castro urges Khrushchev to strike first. The Soviet premier warns President Kennedy, in a long and emotional letter, that “the knot of war” has been tied - soon "even he who tied it will not have the strength to untie it”. This is the personal and political story of the Cuban Missile Crisis, told by Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy.

People in this episode

Guests: Nina Khrushcheva, Max Kennedy

Topics covered

• Cuban Missile Crisis
• Cold War
• US-Soviet relations
• military strategy
• political tension

Keywords

• Cuban Missile Crisis
• Fidel Castro
• Khrushchev
• President Kennedy
• Cold War

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• Recommending: 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II · March 29, 2026 · 5 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 10. Fallout · February 1, 2026 · 43 min
• Kennedy and Khrushchev: 9. Black Saturday · January 25, 2026 · 40 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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