‘After nearly annihilating the planet, the families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "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

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend