Following nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp