‘After almost destroying the world, the families are friends’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward destruction than at any other point during modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend