Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was the American side planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 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. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn