‘After almost annihilating the planet, our families are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane found that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn