Following nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged closer toward destruction than at any other point in recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp