‘After almost annihilating our planet, the families are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came nearer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp