Following almost destroying the world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend