‘After almost destroying our world, the families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came closer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s striking about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend