Following almost destroying the world, the families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging humanity into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend