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

During October 1962, the planet came closer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging civilization toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate each other and confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept towards disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp