‘After nearly destroying our world, the families are allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance plane found the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting civilization into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason 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 in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp