‘After nearly annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged closer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp