‘After nearly destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people can be allies or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend