‘After nearly destroying our planet, the families are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

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

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for 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) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn