‘After almost destroying our planet, the families are friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

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

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations hate one another and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary 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 wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 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. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend