Following nearly annihilating the world, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging humanity into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend