‘After almost destroying our world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp