‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our families are allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR 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 are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn