‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me 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 wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend