‘After nearly destroying the planet, our relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after a US surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost 14 days of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," 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 lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn