Following almost annihilating our planet, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight of impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do people hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend