Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer to destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was almost two weeks of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel perspective into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the American side considering?" asks 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 attempt to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk our 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 fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn