‘After almost annihilating our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can people detest one another and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the 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 hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp