Following almost annihilating our world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp