The Bomb Kennedy and Khrushchev: 4. Almost caught
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Dec 22, 2025 Join historian Serhii Plohi, expert on Soviet strategy and author of Nuclear Folly, as he uncovers the covert journey of Soviet missiles to Cuba. Plohi reveals the dire conditions faced by Soviet troops and Khrushchev’s cunning tactics to distract Kennedy with Berlin. Personal insights from hosts Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva enhance the narrative, shedding light on the political pressures that shaped decisions during this tense period. The startling intelligence failures and U-2 discoveries lead to an impending crisis, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats.
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Berlin As A Diversionary Tactic
- Khrushchev used the Berlin issue to distract and manipulate U.S. attention away from Cuba.
- Historians argue he hoped Berlin would preoccupy Kennedy and reduce scrutiny of Soviet moves in the Caribbean.
Timing The Deployment For Political Gain
- Khrushchev aimed to keep the missile deployment secret until after U.S. midterm elections to create a fait accompli.
- He believed discovery before elections would damage Kennedy politically and weaken U.S. response.
First Soviet Arrivals In Cuba
- Early Soviet ships unloaded troops and equipment in Cuba in late July 1962, while nuclear weapons remained at sea.
- Sailors and soldiers faced heat, disease from unfamiliar plants, and unsuitable camp sites on arrival.
