Following almost annihilating the world, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting mankind into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were Washington thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend