‘After almost annihilating our planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s striking regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations 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 because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn