Following almost destroying the world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril was clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend