‘After almost destroying our planet, our families are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting civilization toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can people detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be friends or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I 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 the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn