Following almost destroying our world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered nearer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

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

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend