‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging civilization into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Inside 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. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living 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