Following nearly annihilating the planet, the families are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or else can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, 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 always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

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

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn