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

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to ruin more so than ever in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can people detest one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that people can be allies or can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch nearly as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend