‘After nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity edged nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that humans can be friends or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp