‘After nearly destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept closer to disaster. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union 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.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn