Following nearly destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost two weeks filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new perspective into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter 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 nations detest each other and go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and 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 optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend