Following almost destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost two weeks of impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend