‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came closer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

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

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend