Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer to ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the American side planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend