‘After almost destroying the planet, our relatives are friends’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost two weeks of extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn