‘After nearly annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of 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 in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend