‘After almost destroying the planet, the relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn