‘After almost annihilating our planet, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came closer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was almost two weeks of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp