Following nearly annihilating our world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point during modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the 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 optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend