Following almost annihilating the world, the families are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward destruction than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend