‘After almost annihilating the planet, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved towards disaster. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp