‘After nearly destroying our planet, the families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting humanity into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

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

"It struck me how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp