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

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting mankind into total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp