‘After nearly destroying the world, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend