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

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting civilization into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "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 wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn