Following nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase was almost a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

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

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can people hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp