‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered nearer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind into total ruination.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new element into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp