Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can people detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn