Following almost destroying the world, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase was almost two weeks of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend