Kennedy and Khrushchev: 10. Fallout
Summary
In the final episode of *The Bomb*, hosts Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy recount the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They detail the secret deal where the US removed missiles from Turkey in exchange for Soviet withdrawal from Cuba, highlighting Fidel Castro’s fury at being excluded. The episode concludes by exploring how this near-disaster fostered mutual respect between Kennedy and Khrushchev, leading to the hotline and the Partial Test Ban Treaty.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro
Black Saturday: Castro's plea and U-2 shootdown
The secret Turkey missile deal
Khrushchev's reaction to Castro's message
Robert Kennedy meets Ambassador Dobrynin
Moscow's Presidium meeting and fear of war
Khrushchev accepts the deal and dictates reply
Radio Moscow broadcasts the resolution
Relief in Washington and Kennedy's reaction
Castro's fury and Soviet withdrawal
Political aftermath for Kennedy and Khrushchev
Lessons learned and the hotline
The hotline test and evolving relations
Kennedy's American University speech
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Conclusion and credits
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