‘After almost destroying the world, our families are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn