‘After nearly destroying our planet, our families are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging civilization into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn