Following nearly annihilating our world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp