Following nearly destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer toward annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear missile installations were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

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

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend