Following nearly destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals hate each other and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that people can be allies or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp