Following nearly destroying the world, the families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn