‘After nearly destroying the world, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened after an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp