Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft found that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn