‘After almost destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened when an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp