Following almost annihilating our world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

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

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp