‘After nearly annihilating our world, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, casting civilization toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 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 Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend