Following nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world veered nearer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This transpired when a US surveillance aircraft found that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend