Following nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

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

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend