‘After nearly destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction 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 enact a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s notable 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 closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend