Following almost destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting civilization into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that people can be friends or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global 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, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp