‘After almost annihilating the world, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, plunging humanity toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations hate each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or else can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp