‘After nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened after a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people can be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend