Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn