Following nearly destroying our world, the families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came closer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn