‘After nearly destroying the world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, casting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp